
Glass 



T'-AA- 



Book T 'o-\'\ 



HISTORY 



FALL RIVER, 



WITH NOTICES OF 



FREETOWN AND TIVERTON, 



AS PUBLISHED IN 1841, 



BY REV. ORIN FOWLER, A. M., 



TOGETHER WITH A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF KEV. ORIN FOWLER ; 
AN EPITOME OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND 
BOUNDARY QUESTION j AN ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT 
FIRE OF 1843; AND ECCLESIASTICAL, MANUFAC- 
TURING, AND OTHER STATISTICS. 






FALL RIVER: 

Almy & Milne, Printers, Daily News Steam Press. 

1862. 



Vvv, 



ORIN FOWLER. 



*Orin Fowler, the eldest son and sixth cliild of Captain Amos and 
Kebecca (Dewey) Fowler, was born at Lebanon, Conn., July 29, 
1791. His early years were spent in laboring upon his father's 
farm, though he was engaged for two winters — when he was sixteen 
and seventeen years old — in teaching a school. 

He fitted for college under the instruction of his pastor, the He v. 
Mr. Ripley, and entered Williams College in the autumn of 1811. 
At the end of the first term he took his dismission, and after study- 
ing again for a while under Mr. Ripley, and also for one term at the 
Academy at Colchester, he entered the Sophomore class in Yale Col- 
lege in October, 1812. Here he maintained an excellent standing as 
a scholar, being distinguished in the more solid, rather than in the 
more graceful branches. A few months previous to his graduation, 
lie accepted the Preceptorehip of the Academy at Fairfield, Conn., 
and held the place — discharging its duties with great fidelity and 
acceptance — until the autumn of 1816, when he resigned it, that he 
might devote himself more exclusively to theological studies, — Dr. 
Humphrey, then minister of Faii*field, afterwards President of Am- 
heret College, taking the direction of them. 

He was licensed to preach on the 14th of October, 1817, by the 
Association of the Western District of Fairfield County. Having 
preached occasionally in different places, chiefly in Fairfield County, 
but without any reference to settlement, he decided in March, 1818, 
to go on a mission to the Western country. He was ordained with 
a view to this, at Farmington, at a meeting of the North Associa- 
tion of Hartford County, on the 3d of June following, and the same 

*From " Annals of the American Pulpit," by William B. Sprague, D. D. 



ORIN FOWLER. 



day rode twenty-one miles toward his field of missionary labor. 
Having spent about one year laboring in Ohio, Kentucky and Indi- 
ana, and perhaps some other of the Southwestern States, he returned 
to New England, by way of Virginia, in the summer of 1819. 

Having preached with acceptance at several different places, he 
accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit at Plainfield, Conn., in 
the winter of 1819-20, and shortly after received a call to become 
the pastor of the church. Li due time he signified his acceptance of 
it, and was installed on the 1st of March, 1820. 

Mr. Fowler remained the pastor of the church at Plainfield for 
nearly eleven years, when, owing to some peculiar circumstances 
existing in ^he parish, it was thought expedient that he should be 
dismissed from his pastoral charge ; and this accordingly took place 
on the 27th of January, 1831. Tlie council, in dissolving the pas- 
toral relation, rendered an unqualified testimony to his Christian and 
ministerial character. 

Almost inmiediately after leaving Plainfield, his services were re- 
quired by the church at Fall Kiver, and he was installed there on 
the 7th of July of the same year, the installation sermon being 
preached by the Eev. Dr. McEwen, of New London. 

In the year 1841, Mr. Fowler delivered three discourses, contain- 
inc an historical sketch of Fall River from 1620 to that time. In 
this sketch he referred to the boundary line between Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island, that had then been in dispute for about a century. 
Not long after, at a meeting of the citizens of Fall River on the 
subject of the boundary, Mr. Fowler, without his consent or even 
knowledge, was placed upon a committee to defend the interests of 
the town before Coimnissioners appointed by the two States. This 
service he promptly and ably performed ; but the Commissioners 
came to a decision in which the people of Fall River were little dis- 
posed to acquiesce, and they resolved upon an effort to prevent the 
establishment by the Massachusetts Legislature of the line fixed upo)i 
by the Commissionex-s. Mr. Fowler now published a series of pa- 
pers in the Boston Atlas, designed to present before the public mind 
the historical fiicts sustaining the claims of Massachusetts ; but even 
his most intimate friends did not know that he was the author of 
them. When the authorship was ascertained, there was a general 
voice in favor of his being chosen to the Senate of the Common- 
wealth at the next session of the Legislature. He was accordingly 



OIUN FOWLER. 



elected in the autumn of 1847, and the Senate, chiefly, it is said, 
-through his influence, rejected the report of the Commissioners by a 
unanimous vote. Such was the estimation in which he came now to 
be held as a legislator, that in the autumn of 1848, before his Sena- 
torial term had expired, the people of his district elected him to the 
thirty-first Congress. Here his influence was extensively and be- 
nignly felt, and his advocacy of the cheap postage bill, particularly, 
is said to have been higlily effective. 

Mr. Fowler, during the time that he was a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Senate, supplied his own pulpit, either in person or by 
proxy, and continued to perform his pastoral duties until the last of 
November, 1849, when he left Fall River to take his seat in Con- 
gress. Agreeably to a previous understanding, he was dismissed 
from his pastoral charge by the same council that installed his suc- 
cessor, in the spring of 1850. 

During his connection with Congress, he often supplied the pulpits 
in Washington and the vicinity, and preached for the last time in the 
autumn of 1851. On the night of the 27th of August, 1852, he 
had a slight attack of illness, but the next day was able to be in his 
seat in Congress as usual. A day or two aftei", the attack was re- 
peated, but relief was again obtained after a few hours. It was 
soon found, however, that his disease, so far from being dislodged 
from his system, was taking on an alarming form, and that his sys- 
tem was rapidly sinking under it. After he became convinced that 
his recovery was hopeless, he requested to be left alone with his wife, 
when he offered a comprehensive and affecting prayer, without wan- 
dering or repetition — mentioning especially both the churches of 
which he had been pastor. After this he began to speak of his 
spiritual state, and said : — "I have tried to live in peace with God 
and man." But the difficulty of respiration did not allow him to 
proceed. He languished until the 3d of September, and then gently 
fell into his last slumber. 

His remains were taken for burial to Fall River, and were received 
by his former charge, as well as his fellow citizens generally, with 
every testimony of consideration and respect. His funeral sermon 
was preached by his successor, the Rev. Mr. Relyea. 

Mr. Fowler was married October 16th, 1821, to Amaryllis, fourth . 

daughter of John How Fayson, of Pomfret, Conn. They had inr li'^^ 
children. 



\ 



(3 ORIN FOWLEll. 



Jiesidcs various speeches in Congress, and contributions to periodi- 
cals, newspapers, &c., INIr. Fowler published a sermon preached at 
the ordination of Israel G. Kose, at Canterbury, in 1825 ; a Disqui- 
sition on the Evils attending the use of Tobacco, 1833 ; Lectures on 
the Mode and Subjects of Baptism, 1 835 ; History of Fall River, 
1841 ; Papers on the Boundar3\ 1847. 



NOTICE. 

In the delivery of the following discourses, those portions of iHeni not suited to 
the services of the Sabbath, were omitted; and some matter suited to the day and 
the occasion, was delivered, which is not printed. The numerous facts recorded in 
this Sketch, have been collected, and their accuracy has been tested, by unwearied 
labor and research. It is believed they may be relied upon as substantiallj' correct. 

The author takes pleasure in acknowledging his obligations to the many friends 
who have assisted his enquiries; and he will only add, that if these discourses shall 
aid, in the humblest manner, in saving from oblivion the early history of Fall 
lliVER, and in promoting her future prosperity, he will be amply rewarded. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



PSALMS XLIV. 1, 2, 3. 

We have heard with our ears, God, our fathers have told us, what work thou 
didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen 
with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast 
them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither 
did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light 
of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them. 

How changed the scene arouud us this morning, from what our 
ancestors beheld, when, one hundi'ed and sixty years ago, they came 
and fixed here the place of their habitation, and began the settlement 
of this town ! The little river that roUs its rapid waters through 
our village, imparts its name to our town, and puts in motion a 
mass of machinery sufficient to give business and bread to half of 
our population ; the waters of the beautiful Bay that spreads out her 
bosom before us ; the hills and the valleys around us ; the great i-iver 
upon our right, and the rocky mount in our front ; these aU remain 
substantially as they were, while the wolf, the wild cat, the timid 
deer, and the untutored savage, claimed this as their ancient and 
rightful dominion. But all else, how changed ! The thick, dark for- 
ests have disappeared ; the wild beasts that roamed these forests, are 
gone ; and the Indians that inhabited these hills and valleys, and here 
kindled their council fires, and shouted the war song, have passed 
away like the leaves of their native woods. Where then was a 
^' waste, howling wilderness," we behold cultivated fields and smiling 
gardens ; instead of savage tribes, we behold communities of civilized 
men ; instead of the murky Indian hut, we behold comfortable houses. 
and large factories, and splendid public edifices ; instead of the Indian 



UISTOKV OK KAI.r. KIVEK. 



canoe, silently darting along our bay in pursuit of the beaver or black 
fish, we behold the elegant steamboat and the stately ship proudly 
floating on its bosom, laden with the products of other climes ; in- 
stead of the war-whoop, and the cry of savage cruelty, we hear, all 
around the voice of peace and comfort, and listen to the song of 
thanksgiving and praise, rising from thousands of gi-ateful hearts to 
the throne of the living God. We are not come together, as were 
our fathers, in fear and want, and gloomy bodings, to offer our wor- 
ship under the spreading trees of the forest, beneath an inclement 
sky. We are assembled in the enjoyment of plenty, and bright vis- 
ions of the future ; in the temple dedicated to one God, Father, Son 
and Holy Ghost; surrounded with everything that makes society 
sweet and life happy. 

The first twenty-five years of the existence of this Church, is now 
completed, and Ave, as an organized congregation, have reached a 
period in our own history, when it seems proper, to revicAV the past, 
and thank God, and gird up our loins for the future. 

"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, 
what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou 
didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them ; how 
thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not 
the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm 
save them ; but thy right hand and thine arm, and the light of thy 
countenance, because thou hadst a favor to them." If this passage 
had been designed by the sacred writer, to apply to the early settle- 
ment of riymouth Colony, it could not have been more appropriate ; 
and were our fathers hei-e to write their own memorial, it would cer- 
tainly begin and end with such sentiments as are breathed in the text 
— they would write "Not unto us, O Lord ; not unto us, but to thy 
name give glory." While then we sketch the eax'ly history of this 
place, let us keep our eye steadily fixed upon the hand of God, scarcely 
less visible in the first settlement and subsequent prosperity of NeAV 
England, than it had been, in planting his ancient covenant people 
in the land of Canaan. 

It was my original design to present a succinct history of this 
Church and Society only. But as I proceeded in the execution of 
my purpose, I was persuaded that a more extended narration might 
be profitable, especially to the young: I shall therefore attempt a 
brief sketch of the earlier as well as the later history of our village, 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 9 

including the towns of Fall River and Tiverton, together with Free- 
town and the neighboring region, so far as is necessary to elucidate 
the history of our own place. 

The order I propose to pursue is, to sketch 
I. The Aboriginal History : 

II. The Civil History, and 

HI. The Ecclesiastical History of this place ; and particularly of 
this church. I begin 

I. With the Aboriginal History of this place and vicinity. 

The landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, took place December 
22d, 1620. At that time the Indian name of the country lying be- 
tween Providence river and Taunton river, was Pokanoket. Indeed 
the whole country eastward of Seekonk and Providence rivers, compris- 
ing what now constitutes Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and 
Nantucket counties, was inhabited by tribes known by the general 
name of Pokanokets, sometimes written Pawkunnaukutts. The ter- 
ritory comprising Bristol, Warren and Barrington, R. I., and a part 
of Rehoboth, Mass., was inhabited by the tribe called Wampanoags.* 

The chief seat of this tribe was at Mount Hopef, called by the 
Indians Mont-haup, or Mon-top; *he more ancient name of the 
Mount was Pokanoket, or Pawkunnaukutt, a name given by the 
Narragansetts. Pokanoket signifies "the wood or land on the other 
side of the water," the appropriateness of wliich will be seen when 
it is recollected that the Narragansetts lived on the west side of the 
waters of the Narragansett Bay. Massasoit was the name of the 
chief Sachem of the Wampanoags. | He was regarded as the chief 
Sachem of the different petty tribes occupying the whole, or nearly 
the whole of these five counties, together with Bristol county, Rhode 
Island, and his authority was recognized by other tribes living far- 
ther North. Massasoit kindly welcomed our fathers to these shores, 
and always lived on terms of sincere friendship with them. He was 

*This tribe was sometimes called Pokanokets. 

fMoimt-Hope is about two miles east of Bristol, and within that ancient town. 
It is an eminence, steep on all sides, and terminating in a large rock, which, at a 
distance, has the appearance of a large dome of an amphitheatre. From many 
points on the eastern shore of Mount-Hope Bay, particularly at the village of Fall 
River, (four or five miles distant,) the Mount forms a beautiful acclivity in the 
landscape, somewhat resembling a remote view of the State House in Boston. 

Jit was the Indian custom frequently to change their names. Massasoit was 
sometimes called Oosamaquin, or Asuhmequin ; though he is more generally known 
in history by the name of Massasoit. After him one of the Cotton Factory compa- 
nies, and the largest factory building in this place, are called. 



10 IIISTOUY OF FAIJ, KIVEU. 

a roiiiarkablo man. Though a mere savage — ignorant of letters, even 
of reading and writing, and though he always resisted every effort to 
convert him to Christianity, and died a Pagan — yet there was an 
intrinsic dignity and energy in his character, which gave him un- 
bounded influence over his subjects and inferior Sachems. The 
native qualities of his intellect and his heart were so commanding 
and so peaceful, that he gained the loyalty, controlled the extrava- 
gant passions, and secured the personal confidence of his subjects, 
and for nearly half a century preserved peace and harmony between 
them and our fathers. He was highly valued and much respected 
by his English neighbors, and greatly beloved by his own people. 
Iloboraok, an Indian Avbo became a believer in Christianity, and 
maintained his Christian character to the end of Ufe, was well ac- 
quainted with this venerable chief This Christian Indian was sent 
by the Governor of Plymouth, in company with Edward Winslow, 
to visit Massasoit, and to furnish him with medicine when he was 
dangerously sick. News (which proved to be erroneous) was received 
while on their way, that Massasoit was dead. Hobomok was greatly 
grieved at the intelligence, and addressing Winslow, said — "While 
you live you will not meet the^fee of Massasoit among the Indians. 
He was no liar, nor bloody, nor cruel like others of his race. In 
anger and passion he was soon reclaimed. He was easy to be rec- 
onciled toward such as had offended him. His reason Avas always 
open, and he governed his people better with few blows than others 
did with many." Of the year of Massasoit 's death we are not cer- 
tainly informed ; it probably occurred in IGGl or 1GG2, when his age 
exceeded fourscore years. 

Masgasoit had two sons. The name of the elder son was Wam- 
sitta, orWamsutta; (liis earlier name wasMooanam:) and of the 
younger, IMetacomet, (sometimes written Metacom, and Pumeta- 
cumb.) These sons, while at Plymouth, after the death of their 
father, professed gi-eat friendship for the whites, and desired English 
names ; whereupon Governor Prince named the elder brother Aijex- 
ANDER, and the younger Piiilip ; probably from Alexander and 
Philip of Macedon. Alexander was the successor of Massasoit as 
chief Sachem of the Wampanoags, or Pokanokets ; indeed, during 
the latter part of his father's life, he seems to have shared liis au- 
thority. He survived his fixther but a short period, (probably only a 
few months,) and was succeeded by his brother Philip, Avho became 



HISTORY OF FALL KIVEK. 11 

chief Sachem or king in 1GG2. Of Philip we shall speak more fully 
hereafter. 

PocASSET was the Indian name of the territory noAv included in 
Swanzey, Somerset, Fall Eiver and Tiverton ; and this territory was 
inhabited (in 1620) by the Pocasset tribe, of which Corbitant was 
Sachem.* At that time the Pocasset tribe was not numerous, hav- 
ing been greatly reduced in numbers, in common with the neighbor- 
ing tribes, by the SAveeping pestilence of 1612.-f- 

Corbitant's chief residence was at Mattapoiset, | (now Gardner's 
Neck,) in Swanzey. He probably resided a part of the time at or 
near where this village now is. He was one of the most renowned 
Sachems within the dominions of Massasoit ; but unlike that vene- 
rable man, was opposed to the whites, whom he viewed as intrudei'S, 
and probably designed to exterminate, if opportunity presented. His 
character strongly resembled that of the famous King Philip. How 
or when he died, we are not informed. Some have supposed that 
the Indian skeleton, now in the Fall Kiver Athenaeum, is that of the 
Sachem Corbitant. § 

The successor of Corbitant, as Sachem of the Pocasset tribe, was 
a female — probably she was his daughter. Her name was Weeta- 
more, sometimes written Weetamoe. || Her head-quarters Avere on 
the spot, as is believed, where this village is now built. She had 
another residence near Howland's bridge. Weetamore was twice 
married — first to Alexander, the eldest son of Massasoit, and after 
his death to Petananuet, called familiarly Peter Nunnult. Early 
historians speak of her as a woman of superior intelligence, and as 

*One of our Cotton Factory companies is called the Pocasset Company; and the 
principal Hotel in the place was built by said Company in 1833, and is a splendid 
building. 

fSome have supposed that pestilence was the small pox. Be that as it may, it 
nearly depopulated what is now the Eastern section of Massachusetts. 

J A part of Rochester, also, was called Mattapoiset — sometimes written Mattapois. 

^A human skeleton found ten or twelve years ago in the sand-bank in the south- 
east part of this village. This skeleton was buried in a sitting posture, and the 
body was found to be enveloped in a covering of coarse bark, under which, on the 
breast, was a plate of brass, and below this a belt of brass tubes encircling the 
body, and enclosing arrows of brass. Whether or not anything was engraved upon 
this brass plate, it is impossible, from its corroded state, to determine. The skele- 
ton is in a tolerable state of preservation, and was evidently the body of a distin- 
guished personage. When found, the head was only about one foot below what had 
been for many years the surface of the ground. 

llShe was called also Namurapum and Tattapanum. The deed of Freetown, 
given by the Indian Chiefs, is signed by Wumsitta, (i. e. Alexander.) and a squaw 
named Tattapanum. I think without doubt Tattapanum was Weetamore, the 
Squaw Sachem of Pocasset. 



12 IIISTOKY OF FALL KIVKK. 

" potent a Sachem as any round about her, and as having as much 
com, land and men at her command. " When PhiUp's war was ap- 
proachhig, he had the address to secure her countenance and aid, by 
insinuating (without the least reason,) that the authorities at Plym- 
outh had poisoned his brother Alexander, her former husband. Pe- 
tananuet was not concerned in Philip's war against the English, but 
forsook his wife, and joined them against her, and was employed 
with very great advantage by the whites. Weetamore having joined 
Phihp, his fortunes became thenceforward her own.f 

Having spoken of Philip's war, (as it is usually called,) it will be 
proper to spend a few moments upon some of the events of it which 
transpired in this neighborhood ; especially as this place and vicinity 
was the seat of some of its important incidents, and also as Capt. 
(afterwards Col.) Benjamin Church, the leading opponent and con- 
queror of PhiUp, was for a number of years a resident at this place, 
and an owner of the land on which a portion of this village stands. 

King Philip's talents were of the highest order. As a politician, 
he was the greatest of savages. He clearly foresaw that the spread- 
ing dominion of the English — their arts, their knowledge, their dis- 
cipline, and their constant numerical increase, would inevitably result 
in the expulsion of the aboriginal race from the land of their fathers. 
While, therefore, he saw the whites extending their settlements over 
the dominions of his ancestors, in all directions, he easily kindled 
into resentment. Considering himself and his brethi'en the original 
proprietors and lords of the soil, he formed a plan to prevent the loss 
of his liberties and his country. This plan had for its object, the 
entire annihilation of all the wliites in the land. 

For several years PhiUp was busily engaged in enlisting the vari- 
ous tribes of New England in his plot, and in preparing for complete 
success ; and had not his designs been revealed to the English, 
through the fideUty of two or three friendly Indians, it is not improb- 
able that Philip's purpose would have been accomplished, and not a 
single white person would have been left to transmit to after ages an 
account of the early settlement of Plymouth Colony. 

Phihp's designs being discovered, the war was begun prematurely 
in June, 1G75, by an attack upon the English at Swanzey. This 

tThe Indian name of Little Compton was Sogkonate, (afterwards Seaconnet, or 
Seconet,) and it was inhabited by the Seaconet tribe, at the head of which, when 
Philip's war commenced, was an influential female Sachem, named Awashonks. 



lUSTORY OF FALL RIVER. 13 

war, which lasted less than two years, was of the most sanguinary 
and dreadful character. One of the first important battles was 
fought July 8, 1675, between fifteen white men under command of 
Captain Church, and three hundi'cd Indians, at Puncatees, (some- 
times written Puncatest,) now the South part of Tiverton. The 
battle was fought in and near a peas field belonging to Capt. Almy, 
and is called " Almy's peas field fight." The contest lasted six hours, 
when Chm-ch and his men, after a most desperate defence, and with- 
out the loss of a single man, were rescued from their perilous condi- 
tion by a sloop commanded by Captain Golding, who approached 
them from a small ledgy island, a little South of Rowland's bridge. 
The island thenceforward took the name of Gold Island, or Golding's 
Island, which it stiU retains. Church was pious as well as resolute. 
During the fight, when some of his men were disheartened and ready 
to surrender, he encouraged them by affirming "that the remarkable 
and wonderful providence of God, in liitherto preserving them, en- 
com-aged him to beheve with much confidence that God would yet 
preserve them, and that not an hair of their heads should fall to the 
ground." 

July 18, 1675, ten days after the battle at Puncatest, there was 
another battle with Philip and Weetamore, and then* warriors, in the 
great Pocasset swamp, which lies a little South of this village, and 
stretches several mUes (with now and then a solid strip of land) 
through the interior of Tiverton. The army of the English did not 
arrive until late in the day, but soon entered resolutely into the 
swamp. Though the first that entered were shot down, the rest 
rushing forward, soon forced the Indians from their hiding places, 
and took possession of their wigwams, about one hundred in nximber ; 
but night approaching, a retreat was ordered. The attack was des- 
perate. Sixteen brave men, on the part of the whites, were killed. 
Phihp and "Weetamore, and most of their warriors, made their es- 
cape by crossing Taunton river, just above this village, and fleeing to 
the West.* About one hundred of their people were left behind, 
who fell into the hands of the English. 

It will not comport with the design of this discourse to trace out 
the movements of the contending forces in other and more remote 
sections of New England. We can only say that the war was pros- 

*The Indian name of Taunton Great River was Tehticut, or Titicut. 



14 HISTOUY OF I'Al.L KIVKi:. 



ccuted, with great courage, and slaughter on both sides, till mid- 
summer in 1G7G, when the Indians were defeated in several success- 
ive battles, large numbci-s of them were made prisoners, their most 
valiant captains were taken or slain, and Philip himself was killed. 
Among the officers conmianding the forces of om- ancestors, Capt. 
IJenjamm Church was prominent ; — indeed as a bold, intrepid, suc- 
cessful fighter, he was the most prominent officer. For fifteen 
months he was almost constantly in pursuit of the foe, or in perilous 
and bloody fight. On the 31st of July, 167G, he fell upon Philip 
and his wan-ioi-s, between Taunton and Bridgewater, and took many 
prisoners, among whom was PhiUp's wife and little son, nine years 
of age. Six days after, (August 6,) Weetamore, the Squaw Sachem 
of Pocasset, being closely pursued, was drowned in returning to Po- 
casset, while attempting to cross Taunton river upon a raft, at or 
near Slade's Feny ; and thus ended her earthly career. A few days 
after, Capt. Church came with his company to Pocasset, in pursuit 
of PhiUp, but not finding him here he crossed over the ferry, (now 
Rowland's bridge) to the Island, when just at evening an Indian 
named Alderman, of the Pocasset tribe, arrived from Mount Hope 
and infonncd him that Philip with his warriore was in a swamp 
near the Mount, and that he had shot his (Alderman's) brother that 
afternoon for proposing to Philip to make peace with the English. 
AldeiTnan offi?red to pilot Capt. Church to the spot where Philip 
was, and forthwith Church crossed Tripp's Feny (now Bristol Ferry) 
with his company, and at day-light on the morning of the 12th of 
August, 1676, they had surrounded the swamp in which Philip was 
encamped. Church placed two men, an EngUshman and a friendly 
Ladlan together, at suitable distances around the swamp, and sent an 
officer with a small party of men into the swamp to commence the 
attack and drive Philip and his company out. The enterprize was 
successful, and Philip, as he was fleeing, Avas shot through the heart 
by Alderman, whose brother I'hilip had killed the day before : and 
with him were slain several of his trustiest TolloAvcrs. Thus fell the 
celebrated King Philip.* 

Never pei'haps did the fall of a warrior or a prince aftbrd more 
scope for solid reflection. Philip was certainly a man of great pow- 
ers of mind, and his death in retrospect, makes different impressions 

*The steamboat plying regularly between this port and Providence, is called 
King Philip, after the'lndian Sachem. 



I 



HISTORY OF FALL KIVER. 15 

from what were made at the time of the event. It was then con- 
sidered as the extinction of a virulent and implacable enemy ; it is 
now viewed as the fall of a great warrior, — a penetrating statesman, 
a mighty prince. It then excited universal joy and congi-atulation, 
as a prelude to the close of a merciless war: — it now awakens sober 
reflection on the instability of empire, the destiny of the aboriginal 
race and the inscrutable decrees of heaven. The patriotism of the 
man was then overlooked in the cruelty of the savage, and little 
allowance was made for the natural jealousy of the prince, on ac- 
count of the barbarities of the warrior. Philip, in the progi'ess of 
the English settlements, forsaw the loss of his territory, and the 
extinction of his race, and he made one mighty efibrt to prevent the 
catastrophe. Had his resources been equal to those of his opponents, 
their ruin would have been entire. This exterminatmg Avar would 
perhaps never have been known to succeeding ages of civilized men. 
But while we di'op the tear of humanity over the destiny of Philip, 
the assurance of the justice and equity of our ancestors, in giving a 
fair equivalent for the lands purchased of the natives, is highly con- 
soling. The excellent and upright Gov. Winslow, of Plymouth 
Colony, in a letter to the Governor of Massachusetts, dated at 
Marshfield, May 1676, says : "I think I can clearly say, that before 
these present troubles broke out, the English did not possess one foot 
of land in this colony but what was fairly obtained by honest pur- 
chase of the Indian proprietors ; nay, because some of our people 
are of a covetous disposition, and the Indians, in their straits, are 
easily prevailed with to part with their lands, we first made a law 
that none should purchase or receive by gift any land of the Indians, 
without the knowledge and allowance of our court." [Vide Hub- 
bard's Narrative.*] Thus justice was aimed at by the leaders and 
government of Plymouth Colony. And it is no doubt true that 
" our ancestors uniformly acknowledged the natives to be the right- 

*Further proof of the justice and benevolence of our ancestors towards the In- 
dians, is furnished by their self-denying labors to instruct and christianize them. 
The venerable John Elliot, (born 1604, died 1690,) was in his prime, and had done 
much for the Indians previous to Philip's war. He began to preach to the Indians, 
in their own tongue, as early as 1646. He once preached the Gospel to King Philip, 
who rejected it with disdain. He translated the Bible, and other Christian books, 
into the language oi the Indians. An edition of his Indian Bible was printed in 
1663, and a second edition in 1685. These were printed at Cambridge, and were 
the first editions of the Bible printed in America. Holmes (vol. 1, pp. 415, 419 of 
his annals) says that in 1681 there were in Plymouth Colony 1439 praying Indians, 
besides children, who were supposed to be three times that number; and that in 
1696 "there were in New England thirty Indian churches." 



IG UISTOKY OF FALL KIVEK. 



fill owners of the soil ; and with the exception of the Pequod coun- 
try, (which was obtained by conquest,) there is the fullest evidence 
that the lands in New England were obtained by fair purchase of 
the natives." 

Sixteen days after Philip was slain, i. e., August 28, Annawan, 
his chief captain, was taken. His capture furnishes one of the most 
astonishing instances of daring intrepidity, on the part of Captain 
Church, recorded in modem or ancient historj'. Annawan was in a 
"i-eat swamp, called Squannaconk, in the eastern pai't of Rehoboth, 
and had with him fifty or sixty of Philip's most resolute warriors. 
Church, having left his lieutenant and most of his company, was out 
several miles from them, on a scout, having only one white man and 
five or six friendly Indians with him. While thus scouting, he cap- 
tured an old Indian and a young squaw, who were just from Anna- 
wan's camp. From them he ascertained the locality and condition 
of Annawan. Learning that Annawan rarely spent two nights in 
one place, Church resolved to attempt to capture him that very night ; 
and not having time to return to his lieutenant for his whole com- 
pany, he proceeded forthwith to Annawan's retreat, with only one 
white man and half a dozen friendly Indians to accompany him, — 
"assuring them that if they would cheerfully go with him, the same 
Almighty Providence that had hitherto protected and befriended 
them, would do so still." Before midnight he surprised Annawan* 
and his warriors, and took them prisoners, without firing a gun, and 
without tht, loss of a man. [Vide History of Benjamin Church, 
p. 131.] 

Thus the death of Philip, and the capture of his chiefs and war- 
riors, was the signal of complete and final victory. The Indians, in 
all this region, immediately submitted to the English, or fled and in- 
corporated themselves with distant tribes. And before the year 
1676 closed, Philip's war was terminated, and with it the Indian 
wars of Massachusetts proper. It is an interesting fact that the 
aboriginal inhabitants of this region contended for their supremacy, 
and lost it, where just one century later the childi'en of their con- 
querors contended for independence, and gained it. 

In this short but tremendous war with PhiUp, about six hundred 
of the English — composing their principal strength — Avere either killed 
in battle or murdered in cold blood by the enemy ; twelve or thirteen 

♦One of our Cotton Factory Companies is called the Annawan Company. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 17 

towns Avere entirely destroyed ; and about six hundred buildings, 
chiefly dwelling houses, were burnt. In addition to this, an enor- 
mous debt was contracted, and most appalling sufferings were en- 
dui'ed. 

Perhaps some of my youthful hearei-s may ask, what became of 
Annawan and his principal associates ? They were carried to Plym- 
outh, and there executed by order of the government. Capt. Church 
remonstrated against this course, but in vain. In later times, the 
conduct of the government, in this particular, has been much cen- 
sured, — it certainly does seem severe. But we should remember that 
many, very many, whole families of the English had been murdered 
by these very Indians, in cold blood ; indeed, there was scarce a fam- 
ily in the Colony who had not mourned the death of one or more of 
its relatives, tortured and murdered by the Indians. Moreover, An- 
nawan and others had been declared outlaws by the government, 
long before they were taken ; and he confessed that he had put to 
death several of the English who were taken alive, (ten in one day,) 
not denying that some of them were tortured. These facts should 
not be forgotten in fonning an opinion of the measures of the gov- 
ernment. Still, we lament the sad end of the native heroes of the 
soil we now occupy, and can do it in no language more appi'opriate 
than that of President Dwight : 

" Indulge our native land, indulge the tear 

That steals impassioned o'er a nation's doom; 
To us each twig from Adam's stock is dear, 

And tears of sorrow deck an Indian's tomb." 

In view of the foregoing sketch of the aboriginal history of this 
place and vicinity, there are three particulars in which the finger of 
Divine Providence is most signally manifested in the early settlement 
■of this part of New England. 

1. In removing the great body of the Indians by pestilence, six 
or eight years before the arrival of the first English settlers. Of the 
occasion of that sore judgment, we have nothing now to say. The 
fact is notorious. God had good and Avise reasons for their removal ; 
and their remarkable removal just at this juncture, prepared the way 
for the settlement of another people ; herein is seen the hand of God. 

2. In raising up for the first white settlers a friend so firm, so 
influential, so unvarying as was Massasoit, to hold the few Indians 
still living, in check, for nearly half a century, till the colonists had 



18 IIISTOKY or FALL KIVER. 

felled the forests and built dwellings, and become sufficiently strong 
and numerous to act on the defensive. If the natives had continued 
as numerous as they were before that pestilence, or if such a man as 
Philip had stood in the place of his father, no European could have 
gained a peraianent foothold in New England. 

3. In raising up such a man as Benjamin Church for the defence 
of tlic Colonists, and in preserving his life amid the imminent perils 
to which he was subjected. Church was certainly a wondferful man, 
raised up for a most difficult service. He says himself, " through 
the grace of God I was spirited for that work, and direction in it 
was renewed to me day by day. Although many of the actions I 
was concerned in were difficult and dangerous, yet myself, and those 
who went with me voluntarily in the service, had our lives, for the 
most part, wonderfully preserved by the overruling hand of the Al- 
mighty, from fii-st to last — and to declare His wonclerful work, is our 
indispensable duty. I was ever very sensible of my own unfihiess to 
be employed in such great services. But calling to mind that God 
is strong, I endeavored to put all my confidence in Him, and by His 
Ahnighty power, was carried tlu'ough very difficult actions ; and my 
desire is that Ids name may have all the praise." 

At Jhe formation of the Congregational Church in Bristol, R. I., 
1687, (in the days of Rev. Samuel Lee,) Church was a member. 
He is represented by his son as constant and devout in family wor- 
ship, wherein he read and often expounded the Scriptures to his 
household. In the observance of the Sabbath, and in attending the 
worship and ordinances of God in the sanctuary, he was exemplary. 
As a warrior, he seems to have understood perfectly the best manner 
of coping with the Indians ; and it was in battling with them that his 
success was wonderful. His surpiisal and capture of Annawan and 
his warriors, was an act of heroic boldness which has no parallel in 
modern times. 

Previous to Philip's war. Church had purchased and commenced 
operations upon a plantation at Seaconet, now Little Compton. His 
operations there were suspended by the war ; and when it was over, 
he lived first at Bristol, then at Fall River, and lastly at Little Comp- 
ton, where he died and Avas buried. On his tomb-stone is the fol- 
lowing inscription : 

" Here lieth interred the body of the Honorable Col. Benjamin 



IlISTOm' OF FALL RIVER. 10 

Church, Esq., who departed this life January 17th, 1717-18, in 
the 78th year of his age." 

Another hand has added : 

" High in esteem among the great he stood , 
His wisdom made him lovely, great and good ; 
Though he be said to die, he will survive ; 
Thro' future time his memory shall live." 

[See Appendix, Note A.]* 
n. The Civil History. 

I " FaU River was a part of Freetown till 1803. Hence the earlier 

I history of our town is that of Freetown. 

^~- On the 3d of July, 1656, the General Court of Plymouth granted 
to sundry of the ancient freemen of that jurisdiction, namely : Capt. 
James Cudworth, Josiah Winslow, senior, Constant Southworth and 
John Barnes, in behalf of themselves and other freemen, a certain 
tract of land East of Taunton Eiver, from Assonetf Neck to Que- 
quechan, and extending East four miles. On the 2d of April, 1659, 
a waiTantee deed of what is now included in the towns of Freetown 
and Fall Eiver, was given to Capt. James Cudworth and others, by 
Ossamequin, i. e., Massasoit, Wamsitta, the son and successor of 
Massasoit, and Tattapanum, (supposed to be the wife of Wamsitta, 
the Squaw Sachem of Pocasset, usually called Weetamore.) [See 
a copy of this deed. Note B, Appendix.] This deed was signed by 
Wamsitta and Tattapanum, and sealed and delivered in the presence 
of witnesses, and was duly acknowledged June 9, 1659. Ossame- 
quin never signed the deed. By some, it is supposed that he died 
before it was completed. That he lived a year or two later is prob- 
able, though not certain. If living at the time this deed was exe- 
cuted, he was very aged, and perhaps declined business, or commit - 

♦Indian Names of Places in thi§ Vicinity. — Pocasset — Fall River and 
Tiverton. Seaconnet — Little Compton. Punkatees, or Punkatest — South end of 
Tiverton. Aquetneck, or Aquidneck, or Aquidnick, or Aquetnet — Rhode Island: 
which was called by the English, the Isle of Rhodes, after the Island of Rhodes in 
the Mediterranean, near the coast of Asia Minor; and hence Rhode Island. Poka- 
noket — Bristol. Keekamuit, or "Kickamuit — Warren and Bristol. Mattapoiset, or 
Mattapois — Swanzey and Rochester. Namasket — Middleborough. Ponaganset, or 
Aponaganset — Dartmouth. Assawamset — Ponds in Middleborough. Cushnet, or 
Acushnet — River between New Bedford and Fairhaven. Tehticut, or Titacut — 
Taunton Great River. Sconticut — Fairhaven. Agawam — Wareham, Ipswich and 
West Springfield. Pappoosesquaws, or Papposquash, or Poppysquash Neck — The 
point opposite Bristol. Shawmut — Boston. Sowam?, or Sowamsett — Somerset. 
Cohannet — Taunton. Mooshausick — Providence. Nannaquacut, or Quacut — A 
point of land in Tiverton, South of the Stone Bridge. 

t Assonet is an Indian name, signifj'ing, it is said, a song of praise. 



20 • HISTORY OF FALL KIVER. 

ted it to tlie hands of his eldest son, Wamsitta. The consideration 
foi- this purchase is mentioned in the defed ; and though it seems 
small at the present time, it was probably a fair price then, and was 
so considered by all parties. Thus it appears that the lands of Free- 
town and Fall Eiver were obtained peaceably, and for a satisfactory 
consideration. The purchasers were freemen iri the towns to Avhich 
they severally belonged, and the purchase was called the Freemen's 
Purchase ; and hence the town, when it was incorporated, was 
called Freetown. The first settlers were principally from Plymouth, 
Marshfield and Scituate. Some were from Taunton, and a few from 
Rhode Island. The early names were Cudworth, Winslow, Morton, 
Read, Hathaway, Durfee. Teriy, Borden, [See Note O, Appendix,] 
Brightman, Chace, Davis. Freetown Avas incorporated in 1683.* 
The Freemen's Purchase was divided into twenty-six shares, and the 
shares were set off — whether by lot or otherwis'B does not appear — 
to the several purchasers. After the division into shares was made, 
there was a piece of land between the first lot or share and Tiver- 
ton bounds, which, in 1702, it was voted by the proprietors should 
be sold "to procure a piece of land near the centre of the town, for 
a burying place, a training field, and any other public use the town 
shall see cause to improve it for." Accordingly this piece of land 
was sold to John Borden, of Poi'tsmouth, R. I., (the highest bidder,) 
for nine pounds and eight shillings, and was the territory on which 
that part of this village South of Bedford sti'eet and North of the 
stream now stands. This John Borden is believed to be the ancestor 
of all who sustain his name in this vicinity. 

Tiverton (excepting a small part at the South end of the town, 
called Puncatest,) was purchased by a company of eight individuals, 
namely : Edward Gray, of Plymouth ; Nathaniel Thomas, of Marsh- 

*At the time Freetown was incorporated, there was but one county in the Colony 
of Plymouth. In 1685 the Colony was divided into three counties, which were 
called Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable. Bristol County then comprised (in addi- 
tion to the present territory,) Cumberland, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton 
and Little Comptou, R. I. Bristol was incorporated in 1680, anil in five years be- 
came the most thriving town in Plymouth Colony. When the Colony was divided 
into three counties, Bristol was made the County seat, and the County was named 
Bristol County, in honor of the town. Bristol continued to be the County town till 
1746, when it was set oft', with Warren and Barrington, to Rhode Island, and those 
towns were made a County in that State, named Bristol County. The name Bristol 
was continued to what remained in Massachusetts, also, and ot this portion, Taun- 
ton thenceforward became the Countv seat. In 1692, the three counties comprising? 
Plymouth Colony were united with Slassachusetts, and the Plymouth Colony gov- 
ernment then terminated. In 18i0, the population of that part of Massachusetts 
originally comprised in Plymouth Colony, was 153,121. 



," 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 21 

field ; Benjamin Church, of Puncatest ; Christopher Ahny, Job 
Almy, and Thomas Waite, of Portsmouth, R. I. ; Daniel Wilcox, 
and William Manchester, of Puncatest. The sum paid for it was 
eleven hundred pounds, or about $3,666. The purchase was called 
the Pocasset purchase. It was bounded northerly by the Freemen's 
purchase ; westward, by the Bay ; southward, partly by the Sea- 
connet bounds, and partly by Dartmouth, which then included West- 
port, and extended east from the Bay from four to six miles. It was 
deeded to the Pocasset purchasers by Josiah Winslow, Governor ; 
Major WilUam Bradford, Treasurer ; Thomas Hinckley and James 
Cudworth, Assistants, March 5, 1680, and acknowledged March 6, 
1680; recorded Dec. 19, 1723, — Bristol County, — Samuel Rowland, 
Register. [See a copy of the deed, Note D, Appendix.] 

This territory was purchased by the above grantors, of the Indian 
Sachems. The North end of the town was settled by Colonel 
Church, and the ancestors of the numerous families now in tliis I'e- 
gion by the name of Borden and Durfee. The town was at first 
called Pocasset ; and Avhen it was incorporated, in 1694, it was 
called Tiverton. The origin of this name, in its application to this 
town, is not known. It is supposed that some of the early settlers 
came from a borough in Devonshire, England, called Tiverton, or 
Twyford-Town, lying between the rivers Exe and Loman ; and that 
they called Pocasset after their native town, Tiverton. 

For several years after Freetown aTid Tiverton were incorporated, 
thei'e was a dispute respecting the boundary line betAveen the two 
towns, which was amicably adjusted in 1700, by a committed con- 
sisting of Josiah Winslow, Robert Durfee and Henry Brightman, of 
Freetown ; and Richard Borden, Christopher Almy and Samuel 
Little, of Tiverton. From their report it appears that the division 
line, then settled, ran by a cleft-rock, over which the store of Read 
& Bowen now stands, southwesterly to the Fall River, thence the 
River to be the bound to its mouth ; and from the aforesaid cleft- 
rock, easterly about where Bedford street now runs. Tliis continued 
to be the division line so long as Tiverton belonged to Massachusetts. 
[See Note E, Appendix.) 

The Pocasset purchase (after reserving thirty rods wide adjacent to 
the Freemen's purchase and Fall River, and some other small tracts, 
including a tract near Rowland's Bridge for house lots,) was divided 
into thirty shares, and distributed among the proprietor, — the lot 



22 mSTORV OF FALL KIVEIf. 



nearest Fall Ki^■el• being numbered one. The piece of land tliirty 
rods wide, adjacent to Fall Kiver, including the water power on the 
South side of the Eiver to IMain street, and on both sides East of 
said street, extended to the Watuppa Pond, and contained sixty-six 
acres. This piece also was divided into thirty shares, and sold by 
the original proprietors. Col. Church, and his brother Caleb, of 
Watertown, (who was a millwright,) bought twenty-sLx and a half 
of the thirty shares of this sixty-six acres, and thereby became the 
chief owners of the water power. On the 8th of August, 1691, 
Caleb Church sold his right in this property (13 1-2 shares) to his 
brother Benjamin, who thus became the owner of twenty-six and a 
half shares. Probably John Borden, of Rhode Island, purchasect 
the other three and a half shares. In 1703, Col. Church had moved 
to Fall River, and improved the water power by erecting a saw-mill, 
grist-mill and fulling-mill. His dwelling house* stood between the 
present dwelling house of Col. Richard Borden and that of his 
brother jetfcrson, and remained till within forty years. He contin- 
ued at Fall River but a few years ; and Sept. 18, 1714, then living 
at Little Compton, sold the above named twenty-six and a half shares 
(his son Constant signing the deed with him) to Richard Borden, of 
Tiverton, and Joseph Borden, of Freetown, sons of John ;' and thus 
the lands on both sides of the river, with all the water power, came 
into the possession of the Borden family as early as 1714; for, as 
I have before said, John Bordon had previously purchased the water 
power on the North side of the river. West of Main street, f 

As nearly as 1740, a dispute had arisen between the Colonies of 
Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respecting the Eastern boundary 
of Rhode Island. This dispute was made known to the King of 
England, who appointed commissioners to visit the spot and deter- 
mine where the boundary line should run. These commissioners met, 
and after due examination, decided^ that the line should be run so as 

*There is a tradition that Col. Church first lived in a wigwam, nearly opposite 
the dwelling house of Capt. Joseph S. Barnard, a little AVest of which is a spring, 
formerly called Church's Spring. 

tCaleb Church sold his 13 1-2 shares to his brother, for £100. At this rate, the 
whole sixty-six acres was valued, in 1691, at about $740. The piece on the North 
side of the stream cost John Borden about $31,34; total, $771,34. This included 
the whole of the water power and most of the land where the village now stands, 
together with a strip East to the Watuppa Pond. Twenty-six and a half out of 
thirty shares of the above sixty-six acres, were sold by Col. Church and son, in 
1714, for .£1,000, or about $3,333. 

tl have not been able to ascertain on what ground the commissioners made this 
decision, nor why the King confirmed it. All the facts in the case which have come 
to my knowledge, go to show that the decision was unfounded, and that Massachu- 
setts had good reasons to be dissatisfied with it. 



HISTORY 01'^ FALL IIIVER. 23 

to include the present towns of Tiverton, Little Compton, Bristol, 
Warren, Barrington and Cumberland, in Khode Island. These towns 
had tiU then been in Massachusetts. From this decision Massachu- 
setts appealed to the King in council, who confirmed the decision of 
the commissioners ; and in May, 1746, the King (George the II.) in 
council, ordered that Rhode Island and Massachusetts should appoint 
commissioners to run the lines, setting off the above towns to Rhode 
Island. Massachusetts was so dissatisfied Avith the decision, that she 
sent no commissioners on her part ; but commissioners appointed by 
the General Assembly of Rhode Island, met and run the lines of 
these towns. In running the North line of Tiverton, they com- 
menced "at the mouth of Fall River, and from thence measured 440 
rods southerly on the shore, as the said shore extendeth itself from 
the mouth of said Fall River, and from the point where the said 440 
rods reached, being East 35 degrees South of the Southernmost point 
of Shawomet Neck, they ran a line three miles East to the Watuppa 
Pond, and across said pond. "J This line became from that time the 
dividing line between Tiverton and Freetown, and in consequence of 
it the heart of this village, including all the water power, which was 
previously in Tiverton, has since 1747 been in Freetown or Fall 
River, and consequently under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 
Tiverton being thus annexed to Rhode Island, was incorporated anew 
by the Legislature of that State in January, 1746 old style, or 1747 
new style, and set off to Newport County ; and the first town meet- 
ing in Tiverton, after it was thus set off, was held at Isaac How- 
land's near the bridge, Feb, 10, 1747, new style. [See Note F, 
Appendix.] 

Previous to the commencement of the war of the Revolution, and 
during that conflict, the people of the towns of Freetown and Tiv- 
erton, in common with the rest of New England, took an active and 
patriotic part ; though there were individuals here who espoused the 
cause of the mother covmtiy. 

Thomas Gilbert, Esq., who resided at Assonet, previous to the 
Revolution, embarked in the cause of Great Britain, and during that 
conflict held the- King's commission of Lieutenant Colonel. He was 
a leading man in the town of Freetown, and was repeatedly chosen 
her representative to the General Court. He was an artful and in- 

"jVide the Public Laws of Rhode Island; Edition 1798, p. 113. 



24 HISTORY OF FALL KIVER. 



sinuating man, and managed to keep a considerable number of fam- 
ilies under his influence, in opposing the struggle for independence. 
At length, however, the success of the patriot cause compelled him 
to flee to Nova Scotia for safety. He owned an estate at Assonet, 
which was confiscated. The loss of his property here, however, was 
more than made up to him in Nova Scotia, where he permanently 
resided after the Revolution. 

But notwithstanding the intrigue and opposition of Col. Gilbert, 
there ^cre some true and devoted friends of the American cause in 
this town. In the year 1776, a town meeting was called to see if 
the town would instruct their representative in regard to these Colo- 
nies being declared independent. This meeting was held July 15 th, 
of that year, and after reciting the grievances under which the com- 
munity labored, thus resolved : — "We, the inhabitants of Freetown, 
in public tOAvn meeting assembled, for giving instructions to our rep- 
resentative, do in public to^vn meeting vote and declare, and direct 
our representative to declare in the General Court, that we are 
ready, with our lives and fortunes, to support the General Congress 
in declaring the United American Colonies free and independent of 
Great Britain."* Thomas Durfee, Esq., was their representative 
that year, and faithfully obeyed the above instructions. 

During the early part of the war which followed the declaration 
of Independence, Freetown (especially that part now comprised in 
Fall River,) and Tiverton were constantly harrassed and distressed 
by the enemy, several of whose ships were frequently lying in the 
waters of the Narragansett Bay. On-the 25th of May, 1778, early 
Sabbath Morning, about one hundred and fifty British troops, under 
the command of Major Ayi-es, landed at Fall River, and commenced 
an attack upon the few people then residing here. The men rallied 
under the command of Col. (then Blajor) Joseph Durfee, and after a 
brave and spirited resistance, which took place near where Main 
street crosses the stream, repulsed the invadei-s, and compelled them 
to retreat. They left one man dead, (who was killed directly oppo- 
site where the Pocasset House now stands, and about four rods from 
tlie front door,) and another mortally wounded, and lying five or six 
rods further West, Avho soon died. When the enemy first landed, 
they set fire to the house of Thomas Borden, then nearly new, and 

*See Freetown Records, Book 2, p. 120. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 25 

Standing at the head of the present Iron "Works Co.'s Wharf, and 
also to his grist-mill and saw-miU, standing near the mouth of Fall 
River, ■v^ich were consumed. When they were retreating, they set 
fire to several other buildings, which were saved by the vigilance of 
the little Spartan band who had given them so warm a reception, 
and who closely pursued them in their retreat, killing one of the re- 
treating party after they had entered their boats. The two British 
soldiers killed in the engagement, were buried at 12 o'clock the same 
day, in the same grave, near where the South end of the Massasoit 
Factory now stands. The head of the one was laid by the side of 
the feet of the other. 

Much praise was due to the defenders of Fall River for their firm- 
ness and bravery in resisting and repelling five times their number. 
But few, if any battles were fought, during the Revolution in which 
so large a force was repulsed by so small a number. Through the 
interposing mercy of Divine Providence, not an individual of our de- 
fenders was either killed or wounded. The oflBcer who commanded 
in defence of the place, still survies, and for ten years past has re- 
ceived a pension of five hundred and forty-two dollars a year. He 
is supposed to be the only surviving Colonel of the Revolutionary 
army. 

As the enemy were retreating, they set fire to the dwelling house 
of Richai'd Borden, then an aged man, and took him prisoner. The 
fire was extinguished by the vigilance of the pursuers, who greatly 
annoyed the British in their retreat. As they were passing Bristol 
Ferry, the Americans fired upon them from the shore, and their aged 
prisoner, to avoid dangef, threw himself flat upon the bottom of the 
boat. Those who had him in charge, insisted that he should stand 
up and be equally exposed with themselves. This he resolutely re- 
fused, and two men seizing him, attempted to raise him up, and 
while thus engaged, a shot from the Americans on shore, put an end 
to both their lives. Mr. Borden was soon after released on parole. 

Great credit was given, also, to another individual,* who held a 
Captain's commission, and who still survives and is able to meet with 
us this day ; and to many others residing in these two towns, for 
their unflinching fortitude and untiring perseverance in the defence 
of this region, as well as for the other services they rendered the 
country while working out her national independence. 

*Deacon Richard Durfee. 
E 



2G IIISTOKY OF FALL RIVE1{. 

Among the patriots of that period, the name of a native of the 
Pocasset tribe must be enrolled. While the British army had pos- 
session of the island of Rhode Island, in 1777, General Prescott, 
the chief in command of that army, quartered at a private house 
some distance from the main body of his troops, and Avas attended 
only by his aid-de-camp and a small guard. Col. Barton, an Amer- 
ican officer, a native of Warren, having learned the condition of 
Prescott, resolved to make a desperate effort to surprise and captui'e 
him. Accordingly he embarked on the night of the 10th of July, 
Avith about forty spirited volunteers, on board four whale boats, at 
Warwick neck, and crossing the Narragansett, landed on the West 
side of the island. Securing their boats, they silently approached 
the house where Prescott Avas quartered, seized and silenced the sen- 
tinel at the door, and entering the house, took the General from his 
bed, and returned with him in safety to the American forces. Among 
those volunteers was a young, bold, nimble-footed Indian. That In- 
dian was one of the first to seize the sentinel at the door, and was 
one of two that led Prescott by the ann, a captive, from the Over- 
ing house, at which he was taken. 

After leaving the house, it is said, the Indian, recollecting that 
Prescott's SAVord was left behind, returned to the chamber, found the 
sAVord, and overtook the company before they reached their boats. 
That Indian was Daniel Page, the last male of the Pocasset tribe, 
the former cAvners and lords of the soil Avhere Ave now have oiu' homes. 
Page was Avell knoAvn and much respected by some of my hearers. 
Previous to his death, a member of this church and others made an 
effi^rt to secure a pension for him, Avhich he most richly deserved ; 
but they failed for Avant of living Avitnesses to furnish the neces- 
sary proof. Page was a native of this tOAvn. He lived and died 
here. His death occurred in 1829, aged fourscore years ; and in his 
decease there is an end of his tribe. Only three or four aged females 
survived him. 

The tOAvn of Fall River was set off from FreetoAATi and incoi-jior- 
ated, February, 1803, by the name of Fall River. The first tOAvn- 
meeting was called by Charles Durfec, Esq., and held April 4th, of 
that year, at the house of AvidoAv Louisa Borden. In 1 804, the name 
of the town was changed to Troy, Avhich name it retained for thirty 
years; Avhen in 1834, it Avas changed again to Fall River. The 
first town house was at Steep Brook. In 1825 the town voted to 



IIISTOKY OF FALL KIVEE. 



erect a town house on the town land, near the dwelling house of 
Joseph E. Reed, Esq. This vote was carried into effect that same 
year. In 1836, the to\vn voted to remove the town house to the 
village, which was done, and it now stands on West Central street. 

Fall Eiver is bounded North and East by Freetown ; South by 
Dartmouth, Westport and Tiverton ; and AVest by Mount Hope Bay 
and Taunton River ; said River separates it from Somerset. Fall 
River comprises an area of about twenty-seven and four hundred and 
fifty-four thousandths of square miles ; and of about seventeen thou- 
sand five hundred and seventy-one acres, including both land and 
water. * The vrestei'n half of the town is rather hilly, and the land 
is good for farming purpose?. The eastern half is of a poorer qual- 
ity, and is chiefly woodland. 

In the year 1823, the town purchased 4 3-4 acres of land nearly 
opposite the dwelling house of Joseph E. Read, Esq., and in 1839 
they made an additional purchase of 3 1-4 acres, for a town burying 
ground, which is laid off into lots of suitable size for families, and 
these lots are sold at a moderate price, to all who choose to purchase. 
This is now the principal burial ground for the village and vicinity ; 
though there are within the town at least twenty-one other burial 
places. The purchase made by the town was ready for use in the 
spring of 1824. Samuel Dexter Wheeler Crary, youngest son of 
Stephen K. Crary, born Sept. 3, 1818, fell, as he was returning from 
the Sabbath School, from a plank that lay across the Fall River 
stream, and was carried down the rocky falls, near where the Satinet 
Factory now is, which caused his instantaneous death. This oc- 
curred Sabbath, May 3, 1824. He was the first person buried in 
the town burying gi'ound, where a great congregation have since 
been laid by his side. 

*According to a survey of the boundaries of the town of Fall Eiver in 1831, the 
courses and distances beginning on Tiverton line at the Bay, were as follows : 
South 82 3-4 degrees East 1,140 rods by Tiverton line. 
South 10 3-4 " West 132 " 

South 68 3-4 ' ' East 646 " "Westport " 

North 65 " East 1,024 " Dartmouth line. 

North 12 " East 750 " Freetown " 

^ North 69 " West 1,760 

The distance on Taunton River and Bay in a straight line, is 1724 rods. When 
this survey was taken, the needle varied northwesterly about seven degrees. 



28' 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 



The following table records the number of burials, and the num- 
ber of graves dug in the town burial gi'ound by one man, (Mr. Jona- 
than Brightman,) for each month during the last five years : 



MONTHS. 

January, . . 

February, . . 

March, . . . 

April, . . . 

May, . . . 

June, . . . 

July, . . . 

August, . • . 

September, . . 

October, . . 

November, . . 

December, . . 



1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 total 





4 

6 

8 

5 

7 

4 

19 

16 

18 



100 



4 

6 

10 

4 



10 
6 
5 



75 



3 

4 

6 

13 

6 

4 

16 

10 

10 

15 

3 

4 

94 



11 
5 
6 
4 
4 
1 
7 

11 
7 

11 
5 
3 

75 



5 
2 
4 
7 
13 
11 
7 

16 
15 
13 
13 
8 



114 



25 
19 
28 
42 
32 
29 
42 
66 
54 
62 
35 
24 



458 



Of the foregoing, in 1836, 37 were grown persons, and 63 were 
children; in 1837, 29 grown persons, 46 children; in 1838, 26 
grown persons, 68 children ; in 1839, 28 grown persons, 47 chil- 
dren ; and in 1840, 35 grown* persons, and 79 children. Total 
groAvn persons, 155. Total children, 303. 

In sixteen years, Mr. Brightman has dug about nine hundred 
gi'aves, and aided in burying that number of persons in the town 
burjdng ground ; and there have been intended in that ground about 
one hundred persons whose graves were not prepared by him ; mak- 
ing about one thousand bodies laid already in that consecrated spot. 
Verily, on the morning of the resurrection it will be a spot in this 
town of no ordinaiy interest. Then the trump of God shall sound, 
and wake the dead ; and aU who lie in that field of graves shall 
come forth, " they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; 
and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." 

During these sixteen years, about one-fourth of the burials of this 
population have been in the other twenty-one burying grounds in the 
vicinity ; which, added to those entombed in the town ground, makes 
over 1,300 in sixteen years. If we take the last five yeai's as a basis 
of calculation, eight hundred and sixty, of the whole number of 
deaths, were children under ten years ; four hundred and forty were 



*Those above ten years of age are reckoned as grown ; those below ten years as 
children. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. ' 29 

over ten years. Thirteen hundred deaths in sixteen years is an av- 
erage of eighty-one a year. But the population has trebled in this 
period ; and during the last five years the deaths have averaged 
about one hundred and sixty a year. 

In view of the facts now presented, you wiU ask, is this a sickhj 
and dying place % I answer, it is a dying place ; and soon, very 
soon, you' and I will have yielded up the ghost, and gone to stand 
before the bar of God. Are we prepared, thi'ough faith in the aton- 
ing blood of Jesus Christ, to go this night and give up our last ac- 
count ? But if you ask, is this a more sickly, a more dying place 
than other towns and villages in New England 1 I answer, no — by 
no means. A comparison of the bills of mortality here and else- 
where, shows that Fall River is not surpassed by any town in New 
England for the salubrity of its atmosphere, and the healthiness of 
its location. 

I will speak now of the more recent history, and of the present 
condition of Fall River ; particularly of this village. This village 
stands at the head of Mount Hope Bay, on both sides of the river of 
Fall River ; and is in the South-west corner of the town of Fall 
River, Mass., and in the North-west corner of the town of Tiverton, 
R. I. ; about seven-eighths of the population, and the whole of the 
water-power being in Mass. The River of Fall River is less than one 
rod in width, and about two miles in length. The Indian name of 
this river was " Quequechan,"* which signifies falling water, or quick 
running water ; hence it is appropriately called Fall River. This 
river issues from a natiji'al pond, called the Watuppa Pond. Watup 
means a boat, or the place of a boat. Watuppa is the plural form 
of the word, aud signifies boats, or the place of boats. Fall River 
empties into Mount Hope Bay, nearly opposite the mount ; and ad- 
jacent to its mouth is the harbor of Fall River. This harbor is easy 
of access, safe, and deep enough for ships drawing eighteen or twenty 
feet of water, to come to the wharf The Watuppa Pond is ten 
miles long and about one broad. Nearly equidistant from each end 
of this pond, there is a nan'ow strait, only a few rods wide ; across 
which lies the road to New Bedford. Within the memory of some 
now living, this strait (called the Narrows,) was passed on a foot 
bridge of stepping stones. This strait divides the pond into North 

*One of our Cotton Factory Companies is called the Quequechan Company after 
the Indian name of Fall River. 



30 mSTOllY OV FALL UIVEl?. 

Watuppa and South Watuppa. North Watuppa is suppUcd by sev- 
eral small streams, and by living springs. South Watuppa is sup- 
plied in like manner, and also by three other smaller ponds, of from 
one to two miles in length, one of which, called Davol pond, is in 
Westport, and empties into a second in Tiverton, called Sawdy pond, 
and this empties into South Watuppa. The other, which is in Tiv- 
erton also, and is called Stafford pond, empties by Sucker Brook 
into South Watuppa. These three ponds are adjacent to each other, 
and to the Watuppa. South Watuppa and a part of North Wa- 
tuppa are in Tiverton ; the remainder of North Watuppa is in the 
town of Fall Kiver. 

The river of Fall River, we have said, is about two miles long ; 
four-fifths of this distance it is on a level with the South Watuppa, 
from which it issues ; and since the raising of the water in the Wa- 
tuppa, within a few years, by means of the upper dam, the whole of 
this distance the river is much wider than the natural stream ; it is 
now from ten to eighty rods in width. When within one hundred 
and fifty rods of tide water, the river commences its fall, and de- 
scends upon an inclined plane, 132 feet. On this inclined plane, 
stand the factories and other buildings containing the machinery pro- 
pelled by the water power, which is durable, abundant, and easily 
applied. This location, being adjacent to an excellent harbor, fur- 
nishes the most remarkable and most valuable combination of facili- 
ties for manufacturing and mercantile purposes in New England. It 
has already been remarked, that the water was improved, for grist 
and saw mill purposes, as early as the year 1700. For more than a 
century it continued to be thus improved ; and in the progress of 
things during that period, a few families were collected here, and 
found their home where we now reside. In the year 1803, when 
the town of Fall River was incorporated, there were, however, 
only eighteen dwelling houses and about one hundred inhabitants, 
where . the village now is. In North Main street there were six 
houses, occupied by Charles Durfee, Daniel Buffinton, John Lu- 
thur, Abner Davol, John Cook, and Mary Borden. h\ East Cen- 
tral street there were four, occupied by Nathan BoAven, Perry Bor- 
den, Seth Borden and EHhu Cook. In West Central street there 
were two, occupied by Nathan Borden and Daniel Borden. In South 
Main street, there were five, occupied by Simeon Borden, Richard 
Borden, Thomas Borden, Benjamin Brayton, and Francis Brayton. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 31 



Near the shore tliere was one, occupied by Thomas Borden. Of 
these eighteen fomilies, nine were Borden's. 

The first cotton factory was built in 1813. The Troy Company 
and the Fall River Company were formed that year. In 1813 there 
were thirty dwelling houses here, and about two hundred inhabitants. 
From that time there was a gradual increase of the village. Still 
the growth, for several years, was not great. In 1820, ten respect- 
able citizens, six of whom still reside here, had occasion to prepare 
a statement of facts toucliing the condition of this place, to be used 
abroad; in which they announce that "the village contains fifty 
dwelling houses, two large cotton factories, several stores, one large 
school house, several grain and saw mills, several shops for various 
kinds of INIechanics, and about five hundred inhabitants. " It ap- 
pears, also, from the census of tiiis town^ taken by order of govern- 
ment, that the increase from 1810 to 1820 was only 298 souls. 
From the year 1820 maybe dated the more rapid and steady gi-owth 
of the village. In ten years from that period, 2,5G5 were added to 
the population ; and during the last ten years, the increase of popu- 
lation has been 2,579 — ^being fourteen more than the increase of the 
previous ten years. The population of the town of Fall River in 
1840, was G,738, of which about 6,200 are in the village and its 
immediate vicinity. In 1830, the population of the town was 4,159 : 
in 1820, 1,594; in 1810, 1,296. 

In the last twenty years the population of Tiverton has increased 
from seven to eight hundred, nearly the whole of which increase has 
been in this village and vicinity. The population of Tiverton in 
1840 was : white males, 1,581 ; white females, 1,542 ; colored 
males, 20; colored females, 40; total, 3,183. The present popula- 
tion of the village, in both States, reckoning all who reside v/ithin 
about one mile of the Post Office, which may be considered the. 
central point, is about 7,000. Within these limits there are 537 
dwelling houses* and 1,173 families. The population of the town 
of Fall River is, white males, 3,288 ; white females, 3,424 ; colored 
males, 11; colored females, 15; total, 6,738. Over ninety yeai"^ 
old, none ; over eighty, 16 ; over seventy, 78 ; over sixty, 206. The 
fact that only two hundred and six of our population have reached 
sixty years, shows ours to be a young population. Nine hundred 

*In this statement, I reckon as dwelling houses all buildings that have families 
in them, and include the Bowenville and Tiverton Print Works neighborhoods. 
Exclusive of these neighborhoods, there are 480 dwelling houses and 1078 families. 



32 HISTORY OF lALL RIVEK. 

and eighty-seven are under five years ; seventeen liundi-ed and fifty 
-seven are under ten years ; twenty-five liundi*ed and ninety-one are 
under fifteen years ; tlu-ee thousand three hundred and fifty-two 
(about half of the whole,) are under twenty years of age. 

There are in the town, five blind persons, six insane persons, eight 
idiots, and one hundred and twenty persons over twenty yeai-s of 
age, who can neither read nor write, eight of whom are at the alms 
house, and a large pi'oportion of the others are Iiish Catholic immi- 
grants. There are twelve pensioners, the oldest of whom is eighty- 
five years old, and the yoiAigest seventy-six. The number of stores 
and shops in the village, of all kinds, including grocers, victualers, 
butchers, dry goods merchants, tailors, milliners and dress-makers, 
druggists, jewelers, harness and carriage makers, house and shop 
' joiners, lumber dealers, painters and glaziers, auctioneers, shoe and 
boot stores, barbers, blacksmiths, brass founders, &c., is 119. 

The number of legal voters in the town of Fall River in 1840, 
was 1,113. The number of taxable polls was 1,603 ; the number 
of persons taxed, including non-residents, Avas 1,760. The valua- 
tion of real estate was $1,678,603 ; of personal estate, $1,310,865 ; 
total, $2,989,468. The committee of the Legislature, in equalizing 
the valuation for the State, have put the valuation of Fall Kiver at 
$2,552,121 ; and they have put the valuation of the whole State at 
$299,878,329. In the six counties South of Boston, there are only 
three towns (Roxbury, New Bedford and Nantucket,) whose valua- 
tion of real and personal estate is larger than that of Fall River, 
and only eleven in the Commonwealth.* 

There are in this village eight cotton manufactories, in which are 
run 32,084 spindles, and 1,042 looms. About 1,370,000 lbs. of 
cotton are used, and about 6,434,500 yards of cotton cloths are 
annually manufactured, and 893 pei-sons are employed. There is 
one Satinet Factory, which employs 100 pereons, and in which are 
eight sets of cards, and other machinery sufficient to run that num- 
ber of cards. In this establishment about 200,000 lbs. of wool are 
used, and about 175,000 yards of cloth are made yearly. 

♦Statistics in part of Fall River, as taken bv the Assistant Marshal in 1840 : — 
Neat Cattle in the town, 524; Horses, 246; Sheep, 580. Value of Poultry, $1,271; 
Wool sheared in 1839, 1,138 lbs. Wood sold in do., 2,814 cords. Produce of dairv, 
$2,571; Produce of Orchards, $240; Hay cut in 1839, 883 tons; Potatoes raised m 
do., 14,235 bushels; Com do., 5,554 bushels; Wheat do., 157 bushels; Barley do., 
1,609 bushels; Oats do., 1,520 bushels; Rye do., 740 bushels. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 33 

There are three Calico Printing establishments. The Fall River 
Print AYorks Company employs, on an average, 350 persons ; prints 
about 4,000 pieces, or 128,000 yards weekly, amounting to about 
6,656,000 yards annually. The American Print Works Company 
employs 300 hands, and prints about the same amount yearly ; say 
6,656,000 yards. The Tiverton Print Works Company employs 80 
hands, and prints about 1,800 pieces weekly, amounting to about 
2,994,200 yards annually. Total of Calico Prints, about 16,306,200 
yards annually. 

There are two Rolling and Slitting MiTls, and a Nail Factory, in 
which are 42 machines for cutting nails, of all sizes ; and a Foundry 
for iron castings ; owned and run by the Fall River Iron Works 
Company. This company employs 250 hands ; works annually 
about 2,200 tons of Swedes and Russia Iron ; 1,400 tons of Scrap 
Iron, and 420 tons of Pig and Cast Iron ; total, 4,020 tons. They 
use annually about 3,000 chaldrons, or 108,000 bushels of different 
kinds of coal. In 1840, they manufactured 38,441 casks of nails of 
100 lbs. each; or, 3,844,100 lbs.; 950 tons of hoops, and round 
and square iron ; 250 tons of shapes and rods from bar iron ; and 
400 tons of castings. 

There are employed by the firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol, 50 
workmen in building cotton and and woUen machinery, engaged 
chiefly at present in building carding machines, double speeders, and 
Sharp & Robert's patent self-acting mules. This firm are able to 
turn out one mule and some other machinery weekly ; and ai'e pre- 
pared to build any kind of machinery called for. There are about 
40 hands employed in other shops in building and repairing machin- 
ery ; making a tol^l of 90 workmen upon machinery. 

There is an oil manufactory, which works 32,000 gallons of oil 
yearly, and employs five persons. 

This neighborhood furnishes an abundance of beautiful granite, 
equal to the Quincy granite ; which is used in building here, and is 
carried to Newport, New Bedford, New York, Providence, Bristol 
and Warren. The business of stone quarrying and cutting, employs 
30 hands ; furnishing stone, rough and hewn, worth from §10,000 
to $12,000 annually, and yielding a handsome profit.* 

*There is a quarry by the side of the old road to New Bedford, a mile and a half 
east of this Tillage ; adjacent to which and on a platform of granite, lies a large 
bowlder ; a rock of the graywacke or pudding-stone formation. This rock is so 
F 



34 IIISTOKY OF FALL RIVER. 

The total number of hands employed in the above establishments, 
of both sexes and all ages, is 2,093. 

There are three lumber yards, in which lumber to the amount of 
two million feet is bought and sold yeai'ly. The lumber is brought 
chiefly from Maine, and sold in this place and vicinity. With the 
Bowenville lumber yard, a planing machine is connected, operated by 
steam, which planes 1,000 feet of boards an hoiu*. 

About 1,500 tons of anthracite coal are used annually in this vil- 
lage and vicinity for domestic purposes. About 5,000 tons of an- 
thracite coal, and about 8*000 chaldrons of bituminous coal, are used 
for manufacturing purposes. 

In 1834, a marine railway was constructed to draw up steam- 
boats and other vessels for repairing. There are five principal 
wharves on our shore, now in use, namely : Robeson's ; the Iron 
Works Company's ; the Steamboat Wharf, (belonging to said com- 
pany) ; Slade's Wharf ; and the Bowenville Wharf. 

The steamboat King Philip, named after the famous Indian Sa- 
chem, runs regularly, and in the summer, daily, between this port 
and Providence. 

Fall River is a port of entry. The District of Fall River em- 
braces, besides this town, the other towns adjacent to Taunton river. 
From the commencement of the Federal Government to April 1st, 
1837, it was called the District of Dighton, and Dighton was the 
port of entry. In the beginning of 1837 the name was changed, at 
the instance of the present Collector,* to the District of Fall River ; 
since which, Dighton is only a port of delivery. 

There are now belonging to the District of Fall River, registered, 
enrolled and licensed vessels, 113 ; in 1830 ther^were 50 ; increase 
in ten years, 63. 

The pi-esent tonnage of the District is 8,809 ; in 1830 it was 
4,463 ; increase in ten years, 4,346. Five vessels are now employed 
in the whale fishery, with an aggi-egate tonnage of 1,189 ; in 1830 
there were none thus employed. The number of seamen employed 
in the District is 541 ; in 1830, it was 240 ; increase in ten years, 
301. In 1839 there were foreign entries, 51 ; in 1830, 4 ; increase 

poised that the pressure of a man's shoulder or hand will cause it to oscillate. Its 
form somewhat resembles an egg. Professor Hitchcock, of Amherst College, visited 
it two years ago, and ascertained its solid contents, and found its weight to be 160 
tons. It may be called the Rocking Stone ; and is a curiosity well worthy of a visit. 

♦Phineas W. Leland. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 35 

in ten years, 47. American tonnage entered from foreign countries 
in 1839, 10,213 ; in 1829, 518 ; increase in ten years, 9,695. Coal 
began to be imported from Nova Scotia, (Pictou and Sidney,) in 
1833. There was imported in 1839, from Pictou, in bushels, 298,- 
260 ; from Sidney, 9,756 ; total; 308,016 ; in 1833 there was im- 
ported 98,256 ; increase in six years, 209,760. From 1,500 to 
2,000 tons of Swedish iron have been imported, yearly, by a single 
firm in this town. The amount of duties collected in this District 
in 1833, was |13,184 ; in 1839, about |36,000. Increase in six 
years, $22,816. The average annual amount of Hospital money 
collected for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, is about $280. 

About two-thix*ds of the amount of business in the District, is done 
in the town of Fall River. About 90 men and boys are employed 
in the whaling vessels belonging to this town. About 100 men be- 
longing to this town are employed in other vessels sailing from this 
port, and about 200 sailing from other ports ; making 390 seamen 
belonging to the town of Fall River. Of these, 24 are masters 
of vessels. In 1840, a female Bethel Society Avas formed for the 
purpose of promoting the temporal and spiritual interests of Seamen. 
This society has opened a room for the sale of clothing and other 
articles used by seamen ; and gives good promise of essentially bene- 
fiting those "that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in 
great waters." ) 

A Post Office was established in this town, January 31, 1811. 
The first mail was opened the 12th of February following. Charles 
Pitman was the first Postmaster. He removed the office to Steep 
Brook, March^ 26, 1813 ; after which tkere was no post office in 
this village till March 18, 1816, when the present office was estab- 
lished, and Abraham Bowen was appointed Postmaster. He held 
the office till he died, April 1824. James G. Bowen, his son, suc- 
ceeded him, and held the office till July, 1831, when Benjamin An- 
thony was appointed. He continued to hold the office till within a 
few days of his decease, June, 1836; soon after which, Caleb B. 
Vickery, the present incumbent, was appointed. The amount of 
postage collected at this office, for the year ending March 31, 1826, 
was $226.86. For the last five years the receipts have been, for 
postage— in 1836, $2,330.52; in 1837, $2,438.86; in 1838, $2,- 
669.57; in 1839, $2,960.76; in 1840, $2,956.90. The average 
of annual receipts at the office is $2,670.3^2. 



36 IIISTOUY OF FALL RIVER. 



There Jirc two Banks and an Institution for Savings in the village. 
The Fall Eiver Bank was incorporated in 1825, with a capital of 
§100,000. The capital was increased in 1827, to §200,000, and 
again in 1836 to $400,000, which is the present capital. The Fall 
River Union Bank was incorporated at Bristol, 1824, and was called 
the Bristol Union Bank. It was removed to Fall River in 1830. 
Capital, $100,000. These institutions are carefuUy and faithfully 
conducted. The "Fall River Institution for Savings" was incor- 
porated March 11, 1828. Its object is to "provide a mode of ena- 
bling industrious manufacturers, mechanics, laborers, seamen, wid- 
ows, minors, and others in moderate circumstances, of both sexes, 
to invest such parts of their earnings, or property, as they can con- 
veniently spare, in a manner which wiU afford them profit and secu- 
rity. " The success of the Institution has exceeded the highest hopes 
of its friends. It has been in operation twelve years. At the end 
of the first six years, $51,215 were due to depositors. The amount 
now due to depositors is $240,195. No person can deposit more 
than $1,000. The present number of depositors is 1,117. In 1840 
the number of deposits was 820, and the amount was $85,294. 
The amount withdrawn, by 323 depositors in 1840, was $35,149 ; 
leaving an increase, in that year, of over $50,000. The average of 
dividends for the twelve years, has been six per cent. The average 
of dividends for the last four years, has been six and a half per cent. 
By means of this noble institution, thousands and tens of thousands 
of dollars, doubtless, have been saved to the widow and fatherless, 
and others in moderate circumstances, for' a day of need. 

In 1 835 the town purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy- 
five acres, with a dwelling house thereon, to be improved as an Alms 
House establishment, for the accommodation of the poor ; since 
which the poor, entirely dependent, have been supported, economi- 
cally and comfortably at the Alms House. The ends to be sought 
in providing for the poor, "whom we have with us always," are, 
their comfort, health, industry, temperance and moral improvement. 
These should be sought with economy and under such regulations as 
will afford all necessaries to the poor, and yet not operate as a pre- 
mium upon idleness and vice. The regulations of our Alms House 
establishment have, thus far, in a good degi*ee, secured these para- 
mount ends. In 1840, one hundred and eight persons were relieved 
or supported ; of these, sixty-three were at the Alms House, and 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 37 



forty-five received aid elsewhere. The average number supported 
at the Ahns House was thirty-four, at an average cost of 72 cents 
per week ; twenty-five of whom were unable to perform any kind or 
amount of labor. Four of the number were insane ; and three- 
fourths of the paupers of the town, in the opinion of the Overseers 
of the poor, were made dependent by intemperance in themselves, or 
those on whom their support should have devolved. The expense of 
supporting and relieving the poor in 1840, including interest on 
Alms House establishment, was $1,800. The universal practice 
of the principles of Temperance, would soon reduce our pauper tax 
to a trifle ; a consummation which we hope may ere long be realized. 
The early history of education in our community, presents a 
gloomy page. One hundred and twenty years ago, feeble efforts 
were put forth to promote common schools. A few individuals seem 
to have felt the importance of teaching the rising generation the 
knowledge of letters ; but on the otl^r hand there is abundant evi- 
dence that, in regard to the simplest and most essential rudiments 
of education, for a century after the first settlements commenced, 
"darkness covered" this region and "gi'oss darkness the people." 
In pursuing my investigations, it has been most painful to observe 
how often deeds and other important documents have been signed, 
even by individuals who had large estates, with the significent words, 
"his mark." I am assured by a respectable gentleman, not yet fifty 
years old, a native of this place, that% is within his distinct recol- 
lection that the' study of English gi-ammar was introduced into this 
town, and that the innovation upon established customs, as it was 
considered, was the subject of much conversation. Another strik- 
ing: indication of the state of education is seen in the fact that, so 
far as I can leai*n, only three or four persons, natives of the town of 
Fall River, have ever graduated at any College ; and only six or 
seven, including native bom citizens and all who have resided here. 
A brighter day, however, in our educational history has dawned, 
and a more favorable page is being filled. In 1826, the town voted 
to raise $600 for the support of common schools, and appointed a 
General School Committee to examine teachers and superintend the 
schools. This measure has been annually repeated, with a gradual 
increase of the sum voted, till in 1840 it amounted to $4,500. [See 
Note G, Appendix.] Measures have been taken to divide the town 
into fourteen school districts, four of which are located in the vUlage. 






38 HISTOItY OF "FALL RIVER. 

Most of the ten districts out of the village are necessarily 'small, 
through the sparseness of the population. Four districts in the vil- 
lage, embracing 1,433 childi-en out of 1,789, (the whole number in 
town May 1840, between the ages of four and sixteen,) are judi- 
ciously located, and are so large that each school is classified, and 
each class or branch is supplied with a separate teacher — one male 
taking the immediate charge of the highest branch, and the general 
superintendence of all the branches in his district. This is an ad- 
mirable aiTangement, which it is hoped may be extensively adopted. 
[See Note H, Appendix.] Within fifteen years, nine or ten new 
school houses have been erected in the town, most of which are 
wisely constructed and judiciously located. In addition to this, seven 
or eight private schools are in successful operation ; and some of our 
youth are now in college, and others are expected soon to enter.* 

In 1835, an institution called the "Fall River Athenaeum," was 
established by the exertions o|t individuals, which has a library of 
valuable standard and miscellaneous books, amounting at the present 
time to 1,500 volumes, about one hundred and thirty of which are 
taken weekly on an average, by the proprietors, who now number 
over three hundred persons. Connected with the Athenaeum is a 
valuable cabinet, consisting of specimens of common and rare min- 
erals, shells and Indian curiosities, presented by travellers, voyagere 
and others. 

In 1825, the printing of a weekly newspaper, called the Fall River 
Monitor, was commenced, which has sustained a respectable charac- 
ter and is still continued. In 1830 another weekly paper, called the 
Moral Envoy, was commenced, and continued one year. In 1832, 
the Village Recorder, a weekly paper, was commenced, and continued 
till 183G, when it was united with the Monitor. In 1837 the weekly 
publication of the Full River Patriot was commenced, and that is su- 
pei*seded (jv^ithin a few weeks) by the Archetype. Thus for fifteen 
years one, and for nine years two weekly newspapers have been sus- 
tained in this community. In addition to these, a large number of the 
principal papei-s and periodicals of the country are taken and read ; 
so that the present prosperous condition of our schools, public and 

*The following persons, residents in this town, have graduated at College: — Na- 
than Durfee, at Brown University, 1824; Thomas Russell Durfee, at ditto, 1824; 
Nehemiah Gorham Lovell, at ditto, 1833; Lorenzo Orren Lovell, at ditto, 1833; 
James Nichols, at Union College, 1835; William J. Knapp, at Waterville College, 
1840. The Messrs. Lovells fitted for College before their family moved to this town, 
and can therefore hardly be considered as graduates of Fall River. 



HISTOUY OF FALL RIVER. 39 



private— together with the means of knowledge furnished by the 
Athenaeum, and our weekly papers, added to the fact that there are 
a considerable number of learned men, in the different professions, 
now resident here — shows that the educational aspect of this place 
is greatly changed for the better, and that our condition now is not 
below the Commonwealth at large.* 

m. The Ecclesiastical History of this place, and particularly 
of this Church, t 

The first settlers of Freetown! and Tiverton were chiefly the chil- 
dren of the Pilgrims, and were of the second and third generations of 
those noble men. They seem to have inherited, in some degree, the 
excellent character of their renowned ancestors ; yet many facts in 
their "liistory show most fully that they were not distinguished for 
that superior intelligence and devoted piety wliich were conspicuous 
in their fathers, and even in their cotemporary settlers in some of the 
other towns of New England. There are but few indications of 
early efforts for the education of children ; and I can find no evi- 
dence of the formation of a church of any denomination, in Free- 
town or Tiverton, for more than half a century after they were in- 
corporated ; nor is there any certain evidence that the people were 
favored with a stated ministry, for any length of time, during that 
long period. There appear to have been a few individuals of piety, 
who were anxious to enjoy the blessings of the Gospel, and of com- 
mon schools ; and efforts were made to procure preachers and school 
teachers, and in some instances these "efforts were successful, for a 
limited period. But presentments to the Court were repeatedly made 
against the town of Freetown, during that period, by the grand jury, 
for not being provided, according to law, with a resident ministry. 
And the town, in town meeting, frequently adopted measures to 
answer to these presentments, or to obtain supplies. At a town 
meeting in February, 1703, IVIr. Kobert Durfee was chosen agent to 
endeavor to "bring in a man into town, to educate and instruct 
children in reading and vTriting, and dispensing the Gospel to the 
town's acceptance ;" and the measure so far succeeded that Mr. Wil- 
liam Way, from Marshfield, was obtained as such teacher and 

*For an account of Physicians, Lawyers, Members of Congress and of the General 
Court, Town Clerks, Selectmen, &c., see Appendix, Note I. 

fin the delivery of these discourses, the morning and afternoon were occupied with 
the Aboriginal and Ecclesiastical History, and the evening with the Civil History. 
In printing, the natural order (the order in which the discourses were written,) is 
adopted. 



40 IIISTOKY OF FALL RIVER. 

preacher, and continued his services from February 14, 1704, to 
January 21, 1707, when the contract between him and the town 
was dissolved by a vote of the town. Whether IMr. Way was or- 
dained and installed or not, is uncertain ; probably not. After this, 
the town had no minister stationed among them (though they had 
occasional preaching,) for eight years, during which time present- 
ments Avere made against the town to the Court, for living without a 
preacher ; and in one instance, to answer the law which required 
that every town should have a minister, the town voted that Jona- 
than Dodson, one of the selectmen of the town, should be their 
minister ; but' I find no evidence that he ever officiated in this char- 
acter. In May, 1709, a petition was sent to the Governor and Gen- 
eral Court, praying for aid in settling a minister. This petltioir"was 
signed by nearly twenty individuals of the town, and the General 
Court gi'anted twenty pounds from the public treasury, to be paid 
when the minister had been here one year, pi'ovided he be a man ap- 
proved by three neighboring ministers. [See this Petition, Note K, 
Appendix.] 

In 1711, llev. Samuel Danforth, of Taunton, on his own respon- 
sibiUty, took measures to supply Freetown and Tiverton Avith the 
means of grace, "lest," as he expressed it, "the noble work of gos- 
pelizing the plantations of Freetown and Tiverton should be impeded 
by the discontinuance of preaching among them" ; and on the 15th 
of March, 1711, he petitioned the General Court in their favor, ask- 
ing that ]Mr. Avery may have compensation for preaching in Free- 
town seven Sabbaths, Avhich petition was granted. On the 20th of 
August, same year, the people of Freetown again petitioned the 
General Court, alleging that they had called the Rev. Recompense 
Wads worth to be their minister ; and twenty pounds were granted 
by the General Court, on condition that a minister was settled. 
But objections being made against Mr. Wadsworth by some, who 
thought it contrary to the Gospel for a minister to have a salary, 
he declined the call. 

On the 2d of February, 1710, the town voted to build a meeting 
house 36 feet long, 26 feet wide, and 18 feet between joints ; and 
not agreeing where to locate the said house, the town, at the same 
meeting, voted that Mr. Samuel Danforth, of Taunton, Mr. John 
* Sparhawk, of Bristol, and Mr. Richard Billings, of Little Compton, 
should be a committee to determine where to set the meeting house ; 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 41 

who came !RIarch 7th, 1710, with the knowledge and consent of his 
Excellency the Governor, and after due examination, determined 
that the house should be erected upon the land given for the purpose 
by the Ho». Samuel Lynde, which was in the pi'esent town of Fall 
Kiver, on the east side of the road, directly opposite the dwelling 
house which is now owned and occupied by Capt. William Read. 
The reason they give for locating it there, is, that it is " near the cen- 
tre of the town."* The house was completed and accepted by the 
town in 1714, and was thereafter used both for a meeting house and 
town house. It stood about one hundred years — i. e. till the year 
1812 or '14 — dui'ing which time it was occupied only about thirty 
years by a settled minister. 

In 1715, Rev. Thomas Creaghead was employed as a preacher, 
and continued till 1721, when difficulties having arisen about his 
- support, his labors ceased. I find no evidence that he was installed. 
After Mr. Creaghead's labors ceased, for twenty-five yeai-s the town 
was destitute of the stated ministrations of the gospel, and was con- 
sidered a moral waste. During this time, presentments were repeat- 
edly brought before the Court, because the town was not provided 
with a minister according to law%f The chief obstacle, all along, 
to the settlement of a minister, seems to have been the opposition 
made by a portion of the people to paying a minister a salary. At 
length the time arrived — Sept. 30, 1747, sixty years after the town 
was incorporated — when the first Church was organized. It was 
an Orthodox Congregational Church. Dec. 2d, of the same year. 
Rev. Silas Brett, of Easton, was ordained and installed as the first 
Pastor of the church in Freetown, f To the few friends of Zion in 
the town, and their numerous benefactors out of the town, it was a 
joyful day. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. John Por- 

*The lot upon which the house was built, was a lot of two and a half acres given 
to the town for a meeting house, burial ground and training field, by Hon. Samuel 
Lynde, of Boston. 

tin 1729, when a presentment was made against the town for living without a 
minister, the Selectmen offered a written reply to the court, in which they say, 
" that they humbly conceive that no such presentment properly can be against 
Freetown, by reason that the lands obtained, were a free purchase without any 
manner of incumbrance ; and they are humbly of the opinion that the law in the 
case is contrary to the true intent and meaning of the royal charter, which grants 
liberty of conscience to all christia^js, papists only excepted." 

* JRev. Silas Brett was a native of Bridgewater. He received his classical educa- 
tion at Yale College ; though for some reason not known to me, he did not take his 
degree of Bachelor of Arts. He studied Theology with Rev. Mr. Anger, of Bridge- 
water, and preached some time at Easton, before he was settled at Freetown. 
G 



A 



42 lllSTOKY OF FALL KIVEK. 

ter, Pastor of the fourth Church in Bridgewater, and was printed — 
an imperfect copy of Avhich I have in my possession. He speaks of 
Mr. Brett in decided terms, as a sound, orthodox divine, and a man 
of God, for whom the best hopes were entertained ; aijd from his 
subsequent life it seems Mi*. Brett well sustained the expectations of 
his brethren. The preacher speaks also of the town in the following 
language : "And is Freetown to have a pastor? then let Freetown 
give glory to Jesus Christ. Dearly beloved, you have been long as 
sheep having no shepherd. For many years past, how melancholy 
your circumstances ! how dark your case ! what gloomy prospects 
have heretofore arisen to you and others on account of your situa- 
tion and circumstances ! But now, glory be to God, the sun begins 
to rise on your horizon ; we rejoice with you, O Freetown, that the 
scene is so agreeably altered among you, and the face of things so 
pleasantly changed." "These things fill our mouths with laughter, 
and tongues with singing. We cannot but think, joy will diiFuse 
through the hearts of all that -fear God and wish well to Zion, when 
they shall come to hear of the transactions of this day. And the 
agreeable news has doubtless reached Heaven before now, and a song 
of praise has been sung by the illustrious inhabitants, to the en- 
throned Jesus, on account hereof." In the preface to this sermon 
the author requests "that all who have ability and a disposition to 
contribute anything to so noble a purpose as the support of the gos- 
pel, and such as have the management of public collections for that 
end, would remember Freetown." Says he, "I cannot but think it 
would be an odor of a sweet smell unto that God who hath said, 
' he that giveth a cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a 
disciple shall not lose his reward.' " 

It has already been intimated that, for many years previous to the 
settlement of JMr. Brett, a portion of the people were opposed to pay- 
ing a minister a salary. This opposition was so general and decided, 
that before Mr. Brett's ordination, he deemed it necessary to quiet 
all apprehension on this subject ; and accordingly entered into an 
engagement, which now stands recorded on the first book of town 
records, and is as follows, to wit : 

" This instrument, made at Freetown, in the County of Bristol 
and province of the Massachusetts Baj^ in New England, this SOtJi 
day of November, in the year of our Lord 1747, Witnesseth, that I, 
Silas Brett, of Easton, in the County above said, preacher of tlie 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVEK. 43 

gospel, and now pastor elect of the Congregational Church of Christ 
in Freetown above said, do hereby covenant, promise, grant, and 
agree to and with the aforesaid church, and the congregation usually 
worshipping with them, that from the day of my solemn separation 
to the pastoral office in said church, and for and during the full term 
of time of my continuance in that office, in said church, I will neither 
directly nor indirectly take advantage, by the laws of this province, 
to get a salary settled on me in the town of Freetown ; but look for 
and expect my support by the freewill offering of the people. In 
testimony whereof, I have subscribed this instrument, to be entered 
in the records of the church above said, and also in the records of 
the town, if it be desired. 

Witness my hand, Silas Brett." 

To which is appended, on the same page of the town record, the 
following, to wit : 

"At the motion of two of the Selectmen, we, the subscribers, do 
hereby manifest our assent and consent to the above written, as we 
are members of the imbodied Church of Freetown. Witness our 
liands, this first day of December, 1747. 

John Turner, 
Samuel Bead, 
Shadrach JHathaway." 

The means by which Mr. Brett Avas supported, were, 1st, the free- 
A\'ill offerings of the people, which, probably, amounted to but a 
trifle. 2d, a small annual grant from a Missionary Society in Eng- 
land, and a few friends in Boston ; by reason of which, he was to 
preach to a small tribe of Indians, the remains of the Pocasset tribe, 
cast of the Watuppa pond.* 3d, the use of a parsonage house and 
farm — a farm given by Wm. Hall, John Turner, Ambrose Barnaby, 
and Samuel Read — which farm consists of fifty-three acres, and lies 
east of the road and adjoining thereto, in sdiool district No. 5, of Fall 
River, on the North-west corner of which the school house of said 
district now stands — near which, some sixty or eighty rods from the 
road, the parsonage house formei-ly stood.- This farm was given 
April loth, 1748, in trust to the Congregational Ministers of Digh- 
ton, Berkley and Plymouth, " for the use of the ministry, and for 

*This tribe had a small meeting house and school house in one building, east of 
the north Watuppa pond, which stood till within a dozen years ; and there is a 
tract of about 300 acres of land there still belonging to the tribe. This is superin- 
tended by an agent appointed by. the Governor and Council. 



44 HISTORY 01-' KAIX lUVEU. 



the benefit of the people in that part of the town forever.t William 
Hall, one of the donors, lived in Little Compton, where he was a 
deacon of the church. John Turner (the elder Dr. Turner) lived 
where Bowenville establishment now is. Samuel Read, (a Deacon 
of the Church) who died March 1, 1791, in the TGthyear of his age, 
lived where Joseph E. Read, his grand nephew, now lives. Ambrose 
Barnaby lived half a mile North of the North line of the town of 
Fall River, where his grandson, Stephen Barnaby, now lives. 

For about thirty years, Mr. Brett continued to labor faithfully 
with the people of his charge. At the commencement of the Revo- 
lutionary war, a portion of his charge espoused the cause of the 
mother country ; and Mr. Brett, who was a firm whig, was dis- 
missed, and removed his family to Easton. Subsequent to his dis- 
mission, he labored in several congregations ; and died at Easton, 
April 17, 1791, aged 75. The church in Freetown, of which he 
had been the minister, never had another pastor. The congregation 
scattered, and at length the church, which was never large, became 
extinct. The last members have died within fifteen years. [See 
Note L, Appendix.] 

The First Christian Society was formed in 1792, at Assonet, and 
built a meeting house in 1793. Elder P. Hathaway was their first 
minister. Thus Mr. Brett was the only settled minister in Freetown 
for a hundred and ten years after the town was incorporated, and 
liis ministry occupied less than one-third of that time. 

Respecting the early ecclesiastical history of Tiverton, I have ob- 
tained but few facts. From incidental notices of early writers, and 
from recoi-ds, it seems probable that its moral and religious condition 
for fifty years after its incorporation, was similar to that of Freetown 
— being supplied only occasionally with the preaching of the gospel. 

tThe language of the deed is very explicit, and is as follows, to wit : " for the 
use of the ministry in the Congregational Church of Christ, gathered in Freetown 
the 30th of September last, and now subsisting under the pastoral care and charge 
of the Rev. Silas Brett, forever : provided that the said Silas Brett, the said church 
and their respective successors be, and remain truly Congregational, and sound in 
the faith ; and in case said church should by any means be dissolved, said trustees 
shall improve the profits and income of said house and land, for the support of some 
learned orthodox man in preaching the gospel in Freetown— reference being always 
had to the benetit of the people in the Westerly part of said town, where the present 
church is settled, till another Congregational Church is gathered in said part of said 
town." [See book 36 of Land Records at Taunton. J Such is the language of the 
deed ; from which it seems absolutely certain that the donors meant the avails 
should be apjiropriated forever, to that part of the town where the old meeting house 
stood. Yet I have lately learnt, with astonishment, that the Supreme Court of Mas- 
sachusetts have decided that said parsonage belongs to a church three or four miles 
north, located where not one of the donors lived. 



IIISTOKY OP FALL RIVER. 45 

* 

On the 20th of August, 1746, the first church was foi-med in Tiver- 
ton, in the South part of the town, composed of eleven men, (mem- 
bers of the church in Little Compton) ; whether there 'were any fe- 
males or not, the records are silent. It was a Congregational Church, 
and continues to this day. In the preamble to the sound orthodox 
Confession of Faith and Covenant, adopted at the organization of 
the church, is this language : "It having pleased the al? wise, all dis- 
posing and gracious God to shine into this dark corner of the wil- 
derness, and to visit this dark spot of ground with the day-spring 
from on high, through his tender mercy, and to settle a church of 
Christ here, according to the order of the Gospel." On the 26th of 
August, 1746, the church made choice of the Eev. Mr. Othniel 
Campbell, of Plympton, (who had been f)reviously ordained,) as their 
pastor. Whether Mr. Campbell had been previously settled at 
Plympton, or not, I have not learned. He was a graduate of Har- 
vard College, in 1728. The Church invited the Selectmen to call a 
town meeting, to concur in the choice of Mr. Campbell, but they 
declined the invitation.* Mi*. C. was installed Oct. 1, 1746, and 
preached his own installation sermon, [from 2d. Cor. vi. 1,] as was 
sometimes the custom at that day. His pastoral relation continued 
thirty-two years ; when he died, Oct. 15, 1778, aged 82. During 
his ministry a considerable number were added to the church. After 
his death, a period of some twelve or fifteen years appears to have 
rolled around without a stated minister in Tiverton, and with only 
occasional supplies of the preaching of the word of God. At length, 
December 7, 1791, Eev. John Briggs became the stated minister of 
the church and people. He was dismissed October, 1801 ; when 
they were again destitute, except as they were supplied by mission- 
aries, among whom were Rev. Mr. Davis, and Eev. Jotliam Sewell. 

In the summer of 1815, Eev. Benjamin Whitmore was ordained 
pastor of the church, and the next year his pastoral relation was 
dissolved. He has since been settled in the fourth parish in Ply- 
mouth, where he still labors with success. 

Oct. 14, 1818, Eev. Ebenezer Colman was ordained pastor of 
the church and people, who continued with the congi'egation as a 
faithful laborer till November 26, 1823, when he was regularly and 

*The town had previously chosen Mr. Joseph "Wanton for their minister ; and 
though I cannot learn that he preached long with them, yet it seems tlie preference 
some of the people had for him, led them to decline uniting in the settlement of Mr. 
Campbell. 



4G IIISTOKY OF FAT.L niVEK. 

honorably dismissed, for the want of support. In 1825, Rev. Luther 
Wright statedly supplied the church and people as their minister, and 
continued witli them three or four years, when he left them, " much 
beloved and highly esteemed for his work's sake." 

Rev. Jonathan King commenced his labors as stated pastor Oct. 
24, 1828, and continued there as a faithful and beloved servant of 
Christ, till 1836, when his labors ceased. Rev. Isaac Jones, the 
present pastor, commenced his labors Feb. 18, 1838; and May 9, 
the church voted to constitute him their pastor, so long as he shall 
continue to supply their desk. INIi". Jones is still laboring faithfully 
among the people. The Congregational Church in Tiverton, at no 
time numerous, is now composed of about forty-five members. Dea- 
con David Tompkins has recently died, leaving a legacy to the church 
of about $2,000, which, with funds previously owned by them, is 
sufficient to enable them, with proper annual efforts, to sustain gos- 
pel ordinances constantly. 

This church and society have two meeting houses, in which pub- 
lic worship is held alternately. The old house in the South-east 
part of the town, was built nearly a century since. The new house 
in the South-west part of the town was built about thirty years ago. 
If their location and the views of the people would allow of the use 
of one house only, it would conduce greatly to their prosperity to meet 
statedly, on the Sabbath, at one place.* 

The first Congregational Cliurch in Full River was organized at 
the dwelling house of Deacon Richard Durfee, by a Council con- 
vened for the purpose, January 9th, 1816. t A confession of faith 
and form of covenant was adopted, embracing the leading evangeli- 
cal doctrines of grace and rules of christian fellowship, taught by the 
apostles and advocated by the reformers of the sixteenth century, 
and by the orthodox Fathers of New England. The church, when 
formed, was composed of five members : Joseph Durfee and his wife 
Elizabeth Durfee, Richard Durfee, Benjamin Brayton, and Wealthy 

*Tliere is a Baptist Church with a meeting house in the South-east part of Tiv- 
erton, wliich has existed some seventy years. There is also a Baptist Church and a 
meeting house, built in 1807 or '8, near Howland's Bridge ; both of which have 
been supplied with pastors a large portion of the time. There is also a Friends' 
meeting house, with a small Congregation, half a mile north of the Bridge. But I 
regret that I have not obtained any very definite and full information of either of 
these congregations. 

fThe council was composed of the following ministers, to wit : — Rev. Mace Shep- 
iierd, Little Compton ; Rev. Thomas Andros, Berkley ; Rev. Sylvester Holmes, 
New Bedford ; and Rev. Benjamin Whitmore, Tiverton. 



HISTORY OF FALL EIVEU. 47 

Durfee, the wife of Charles Durfee, Esq. Elizabeth Durfee died 
May 19th, 1817, aged G3 years to a day. Benjamm Brayton died 
Dec. 9th, 1829. Leaving no childi-en, he bequeathed the most of 
his property to this church, to be held in trust by the Deacons as a 
pei'manent fund for the support of the ministry.* The other three 
original members still survive, and tAvo of them are present with us 
this day. For about seven years after the church was organized, 
they had neither a house for public worship, nor a settled pastor. 
But from the time of their organization, they met I'egularly on the 
Sabbath for public worship. When they were destitute of preach- 
ing, they I'ead sermons and conducted the devotional exercises them- 
selves, and evidently enjoyed the presence and favor of the Holy 
Ghost ; and being of one heart and soul, were comforted and multi- 
plied. A portion of the time (probably more than two-thirds of it, ) 
they had preaching through the aid of Missionary Societies ; to 
which were added their own yearly contributions. The missionaries 
by whom they were supplied, were the Rev. Messrs. John Sanford, 
James Hubbard, Amasa Smith, Reuben Torrey, C. H. Nichols, Cur- 
tis Coe, Samuel W. Colburn, Moses Osborne, Isaac Jones, Seth 
Chapin, Silas Shores, Otis Lane and Loring D. Dewey ; and per- 
haps others, whose names I have not ascertained. During that pe- 
riod, a Sabbath School, of more than 100 persons, was gathered and 
conducted by members of the church ; and a Benevolent Society, 
composed of self-denying and devout women, was formed and went 
into active operation, whose great object was to collect pupils for the 
Sabbath School, and to provide clothing for all that needed help. 
This Society stiU exists, and labors with all the freshness and vigor 
of its earliest days. It has won and wedded many to the Sabbath 
school, clothing them when necessary, and doing it by their own 
weekly manual labor ; and some of those thus won and wedded to 
the school, and clothed with bodily garments, have been won and 
wedded to Jesus Christ, and clothed with the garments of salvation. 
Among them is a young man lately licensed to preach the Gospel, 
and now professor of the Greek and Latin languages in one of our 
most prominent American Colleges. Verily, upon this sister band 
will come the blessing of souls ready to perish. They will not be 
forgotten before Him who promises that he who '' gives a cup of cold 
water only, in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his re- 

*This fund now amounts to about $4,000. 



48 HISTORY OF FAIX KIVEH. 

ward." But tliough the church were without a house and without 
a settled pastor, they were not without a refreshing from the pres- 
ence of the Lord. During the first three years after their organiza- 
tion, there were added to tlie church, chiefly by profession, thirty 
members, among whom were only four males. Of these four breth- 
ren, three still survive. The other was Thomas R. Durfee, a son of 
one of the five original members. This excellent young man, pant- 
ing for knowledge and for Ihe blessedness of proclaiming a Saviour's 
love to his perishing fellow men, pursued a course of classical study, 
and graduated with reputation at Brown University in the year 
1824, after which he I'ead theology in a regular course at Andover, 
was licensed to preach the Gospel, and went to Missouri as a mis- 
sionary. There he found a field of usefulness, to the cultivation of 
which his intellect and his heart were admirably adapted. And 
though his ministerial career . was short, it was bright and blessed. 
In his preaching, his pastoral labors, and his daily life, he seems 
with Paul "determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him 
crucified." He died at St. Charles, Missouri, July 15, 1833, aged 
32 years, greatly lamented, both by the friends of his youth in his 
native place, and by a numerous circle at the West. 

While this church was without a house for public Avorship, their 
meetings were held sometimes at private houses, sometimes in a large 
store-room, sometimes in the only school house in the place, and oc- 
casionally in the line meeting house, an edifice placed on the line 
between the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and erected 
in 1798, by the various denominations living in the region in both 
States, as a house common to all, controlled by none. 

Being gi'eatly tried for the want of a place for public meetings, 
the church, early in 1819, after much reflection and prayer, took 
incipient measures for building a house of worship. They were few 
and feeble ; they were in the midst of a people, many of whom 
"feared not God," nor regarded his Sabbaths, nor his ordinances; 
but weak as they Avere in men and means, they ti'usted in the Lord, 
and resolved to proceed to erect a house, where they and their 
children might meet to pay their vows. At that time there was not 
a house for public worship, for any denomination, in the town of 
Fall River ; nor had there ever been one since the town was incor- 
ported in 1803, except the shattered remains of the old house built 
in 1714, and standing within a few rods of the north line of the 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 49 

town, which wei'e not entirely removed till about the year 1812 or 
'14 ; and the Indian meeting house east of the North Watuppa pond. 
The first measui-e pursued by the church, was to see how much could 
be raised among themselves, which did not exceed $600. Their 
next step was to make known their condition to benevolent individ- 
uals and wealthy churches abroad. From this latter source, they 
ultimately realized about three hundred dollars. With these scanty 
means, (two years having been consumed in preparation,) they pro- 
ceeded, in 1821 and '22, to the erection of a neat, commodious 
House of Worship, 45 feet in length by 36 feet in breadth, with a 
vestry underneath, which was dedicated in February, 1823.* This 
was the second meeting house built in Fall River — the Friends hav- 
ing built a small house for worship in 1821. 

An Ecclesiastical Congi'egational Society was formed in 1820, 
and incorporated by the Legislature, February 1821.t The church 
and society being organized, and furnished with a sanctuary, har- 
moniously united in the call of their first pastor, the Rev. Augustus 
B. Reed, who was ordained and installed July 2d, 1823. | The sal- 
ary voted to Mr. Reed was four hundred and fifty dollars a year. 
At the time of his settlement, the church was composed of about 35 
members. During his ministry of two years and one month, there 
were eleven added to the church, principally by letter. Mi*. Reed 
was dismissed in regular standing, August 3d, 1825. He again set- 
tled July 19th, 1826, in Ware, Mass., where, during twelve years 
he labored faithfully and successfully ; and closed his life serenely, 
Sept. 30, 1838, aged 39 years. 

After the dismission of Mr. Reed, this people were destitute of a 
pastor till the autumn of the following year, when the Church and 
society presented a unanimous call to the Rev. Thomas M. Smith to 
become their pastor, offering a salary of $600. || He accepted the 
call, and was installed November 1st, 1826. § 

*Rev. Samuel Austin, D D, of Newport, preached the dedication sermon. 

tThe excitement which arose in the town in consequence of this act of incorpora- 
tion, soon spent itself by its own warmth, and ultimately did no harm to this So- 
ciety. 

tMr. Reed was the son of Dea. Elijah Reed, of Rehoboth. He graduated at Brown 
University, 1821, and studied Theology in his native town, with Rev. O. Thompson. 

IIMr. Smith is the son of Rev. Daniel Smith of Stamford, Conn., and graduated 
at Yale College, 1816. He studied Theology at Andover, and was settled at Port- 
land, Me., previous to his installation here. 

§1 have not been able to obtain a list of the members of the Councils that installed 
Messrs. Reed and Smith. 
fl 



50 niSTOUY OF FALL RIVER. 

Soon after Mr. Smith's ministry commenced, the Lord in great 
mercy revived his work among this people, and in 1827, fifty-nine 
were added (principally by profession) to the church. His ministry 
continued four years and a half, during which eighty-nine were added 
to the church. Having received a call to the Church in Catskill, 
N. Y., Mr. Smith was dismissed in good standing, April 27th, 1831. 
In 1839, he was dismissed from Catskill, having received a call to 
the North Congregational Church in New Bedford, of which he is 
now the colleague pastor. 

In 1827, the first year of Mr. Smith's ministry, an addition of 
twenty-five feet was made to the length of the meeting house. 

Only two Sabbaths passed after Mr. Smith's labors closed here, 
before the labors of the present pastor commenced. May 2 2d, 1831. 
To him also the church presented a unanimous call to settle with 
them in the ministry, with the oft'er of a salary of $700,^ which was 
accepted, and his installation took place July 7th, 1831.|1 In the 
call and settlement of each of their pastors, the Church and Society 
have acted as distinct and separate bodies, (the church acting first;) 
and yet they have harmoniously co-operated, and desei've commen- 
dation for their unanimity, and their uniform adherence to sound, 
protestant, congi'egational principles. 

In the fall of 1831, the Holy Ghost was poured again upon this 
flock, and before the year 1832 closed, sixty-one (ten by letter,) were 
added to the church. The congregation having out gi'own the fii"st 
house of worship, this sacred Temple was erected in 1831 and '32. 
Its length (including the Portico) is eighty-five feet, its breadth sixty- 
five. On the lower floor there are 118 pews. The cost of the house 
and lot (not including the organ)* was about $16,000. This house 
was dedicated to God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Nov. 21st, 

|In 1834, $200 were added to the salary, and $100 more in 1836. 

llThe Council called for the Installation of the present Pastor, was composed of 
the following Bishops and delegates : — Bishops — Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton, 
(who offered the first prayer); Rev. Abel McEwen, of New London, (who preached 
the sermon); Rev. Thomas Andros, of Berkley, (who offered the installing prayer); 
Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D., of Franklin, Ct., (who was moderator and gave the 
charge); Rev. Thomas T. Waterman, of Providence, (who gave the right hand); 
Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Braintree, (who addressed the people); Rev. Preston 
Cummings, of Dighton, (who offered the last prayer); Rev. Alvan Cobb, of West 
Taunton, (who was scribe); and Rev. Stetson Raymond, of Freetown. Delegates — 
C Godfrey, Andrew M. Frink, Deacon J. Cady, Asa French, Deacon G. Babbitt, 
Lorenzo Lincoln, Deacon Benjamin Burt of Labanon, Conn., Amos Fowler of Re- 
hoboth, and Deacon Elijah Reed. 

*The organ was built bv the MeSfers. Hooks, of Boston, in 1835, and cost about 
$2,000. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVEE. 51 

1832 ; on which occasion the pastor preached from Haggai, 2d chap., 
9th verse, and was assisted in the devotional services by several of 
his brethren in the ministry. 

In 1834 the work of the Lord was once more revived, and during 
that year forty-nine were added to the church. Again in 1836 the 
Holy Spirit descended with great power, and during that year one 
hundi'ed and nine were added to the church. In the beginning of 
1840, God visited" this people once more with the special effusions 
of his spirit, and during that year sixty-seven, all but tw;o by pro- 
fession, were gathered into the church. Thus since the first of Jan- 
uary, 1827, there have been five seasons of special revival in this 
congregation, and three hundred and thirty-six have been added to 
the church since the installation of the present pastor. Since July, 
1831, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper has been administered 
fifty-eight times ; at forty-five of which additions have been made 
to the church. Days for prayer and fasting have been set apart re- 
peatedly by this church, from its earliest years to the present time ; 
and the great head of the church has evidently put his blessing upon 
these seasons. The wonders which the grace of God has wrought 
in behalf of this flock, are too many to be recounted in this brief 
sketch, and yet they are too great and mighty to be passed unno- 
ticed. Verily the arm of the Lord hath been revealed in the midst 
of US; and the language of the prophet, " a little one shall become 
a thousand, and a small one a strong nation ; I the Lord will hasten 
it in his time," is applicable to the history of this congregation. Let 
us set up our Ebenezer stone to-day, as did Samuel the prophet, say- 
ing, " hitherto hath the Lord helped us." And let us never fail to 
utter the cry of David, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but 
unto thy name, give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake." 

The whole number received to this church, is, original members 
five ; previous to ]Mi'. Eeed's installation, thirty ; during his minis- 
try, eleven ; during Mr. Smith's ministry, eighty-nine ; since the 
present pastor's installation, three hundred and thirty-six ; total, 
four hundred and seventy-one. Of the whole number, twenty-three 
only (if I am correctly inforaaed) have died. Eighteen have died 
since July, 1831 ; most of them firm in the faith of Christ, and with 
hopes full of immortality. About eighty have received letters of 
recommendation and become connected with chm'ches to which they 
have removed ; four have been excommunicated ; and three hun- 



52 HISTOKY OF FALL RIVElf. 

dred and sixty-four are now members ; about forty of Avhom are 
non-residents. There are now about two hundred and seventy fam- 
ilies connected with this congi'egation. I have baptized one hun- 
dred and fifty-eight adults, and one liundred and fifty-three children, 
total 311. Fifty adults and eighty-six children were baptized by 
my predecessors. Total baptisms four hundred and forty-seven. 
Since my connection with this people, I have married one hundred 
and twenty-eight couple, an average of about 13 couple a year.* 

During the last ten years, the other evangelical churches in this 
place have shared largely also in the effusions of the Holy Spmt ; 
and though I am not able to state the definite number of hopeful 
conversions to God in this village within this period, I think it may 
safely be estimated at more than one thousand. " What hath God 
wrought!" 

It has already been mentioned that a Sabbath School was organized 
in the early years of this church. This Institution has been con- 
tinued, with growing numbers and increasing usefulness to the pres- 
ent time ; and during ten years past, it is not recollected that the 
Sabbath School has failed of being assembled for a single Sabbath ; 
nor has the pulpit been unsupplied for a single half day, in that time. 
In the summer of 1840, the number actually present at the Sabbath 
School, at one time, exceeded five hundred. And the average num- 
ber present, during the summer of that year was from four to five 
hundred. The whole number belonging to the school in 1840, was 
about six hundred and fifty. The instructions given in the school, 
have been greatly blessed of God. In every revival with which this 
people has been visited, the Sabbath School has largely shared. 
Nearly half of those added to the church in 1840, were previously 
members of the Sabbath School. A similar remark applies to all 
previous revivals. We hope the time is near, when the whole con- 
gregation, indeed the whole community, will be connected with the 
Sabbath School. 

In this sketch of our Ecclesiastical History, I must not omit a 
brief notice of the early benefactions of othei's bestowed upon this 
people, nor of the later benefactions of this people bestowed upon 
others. Mention has already been made of early aid from Mission- 
ary Societies. In 1817 the Mass. Missionary Society voted $80 ; 

*For several years past, the annual number of marriages in this town, has been 
about sixty-five couple. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 53 

in 1818, 164; in 1819, $100; in 1820, |96 ; inl821, |48; and in 
1822, $80. For a number of years aid was received from the avails 
of the parsonage formerly occupied by Rev. Mr. Brett, amounting 
in all to about $500. In July, 1822, the Society for promoting 
christian knowledge, offered this church $500, on condition that 
they would settle a minister. The offer was at first decHned, but 
the next year, on the settlement of Mr. Eeed, was accepted ; and 
for two years, a proportional part of that sum was received. As 
Mr. Reed was then dismissed, I am unable to determine whether 
the remainder was received or not. In the years 1826, '27, '28 and 
'29, $100 a year were received from the Massachusetts Missionary 
Society. After this the church and society were able to stand alone. 
Thus for ten or twelve years the pecuniary resources of this church 
and congregation were supplied in part by the friends of Home Mis- . 
sions abroad ; without which the ordinances of the Gospel, in all 
probability, would not have been sustained in this congregation, and 
for which many thanks are due to God, and the benevolent who af- 
forded their timely assistance. Since 1829, no aid has been received 
from abroad ; but on the other hand aid has been freely, I may say 
Uberally, imparted to others. In 1832, the church voted to make 
collections six times a year, i. e. once in two months, for the various 
prominent objects of benevolence, to wit : Foreign and Home Mis- 
sions, the Sabbath School, Tract, Bible, and Education Societies. 
The following year the vote was repeated, and at length this was 
settled as the course of annual operations ; and in eveiy instance, 
when the time has arrived for an effort in behalf of a particular 
cause, a collection has been made, and usually with good success. 
And I l)elieve it may be truly said that many among us are cheerful 
benefactors, and have learned " that it is truly more blessed to give 
than to receive."* 

Since this church was organized, eight brethren have sustained 
the office of Deacon, all of whom still survive, and all but two of 
whom were inducted into office according to Apostolic rule, by 
prayer and the laying on of hands, t Five of them, having removed 

*Within ten years this church and congregation have contributed to various ob- 
jects of christian benevolence more than four times the amount of all the aid they 
ever received while in their weakness. 

t The names of the deacons are as follows : — 



54 HISTORY OF FAIX RIVER. 

from town, resigned their office, and there are only three deacons of 
the church at the present time. J 

In 1820, I have before stated, there was no meeting house in this 
village, except the one which stood on the State line. That has 
since been taken down, and eleven others have been erected, three of 
which, having been found too small, have been converted to other 
uses. Eight of the eleven are still in use ; most of them are large, 
and all of them are neat, subsj.antial, commodious structures for pub- 
lic worship. 

There are now in this village eleven congregations. The statistics 
of their history wiU be given, on the authority of their own minis- 
ters, or other leading members. 

The Friends commenced public worship here in 1819. Benjamin 
Buffington, who is one of our oldest citizens, was then and continues 
to be their minister. Their first meeting house was built in 1821. 
It was removed, and their present house was erected in 1836. They 
have one hundred and thirty-four members, and forty families. 

The statistics of the Congregational Church and Society having 
been already given, need not be repeated. 

The Baptist Church was organized in 1781, and was located at 
the Narrows, two miles East of this village, where their fii'st meet- 
ing house stood. It was called the Second Baptist Church in Tiver- 
ton, till 1825, when the church and congregation removed to the 
village, since which the church has taken the name of the First 
Baptist Church in Fall River. Their first meeting house in the vil- 
lage was erected in 1828, and occupied till last year, when their 
present house was built, and dedicated Sept. 16, 1840. They num- 
ber 275 families, and 603 communicants ; a portion of their com- 
municants reside in the region around this village. Tlieir Society 
was incorporated June 1831. They have enjoyed the labors of four 
regular pastors : Rev. Messrs. Amos Burroughs, Job Borden, Brad- 

ELECTED. KESIGNED. 

Sylvester C. Allen, October 17, 1821, March 16, 1835. 

Richard Durfeee, December 1, 1823, 

Mathew C Durfee, August 19, 1833, Sept. 19, 1836. 

Benjamin S. Bourne. December 16, 1833, May 19, 1834. 

David Anthony, October 20, 1834, 

Samuel L. Whipple, August 15, 1836, Nov. 3, 1839. 

Leander P. Lovell, August 15, 1836, 

Philip R. Bennett, November 14, 1836, Sept. 18, 1837. 

Jit is a noticeable fact that no Deacon of this church has departed this life ; and 
also, that no minister of our denomination, nor, so far as I am informed, of any de- 
nomination, has died in the town since it was incorporated. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 55 

ley Minor, and Asa Bronson, the present pastor. They have had 
two assistant pastors, Messrs. James Boomer and A. A. Ross, both 
of whom were assistants to Mr. Borden, who was entirely blind for 
forty years, and during his whole ministry. Their Sabbath School in 
the village numbers 617 ; the average attendance in 1840, was 415. 

The Methodist Church was formed in 1826. Their first meeting 
house was built in 1827, and dedicated in December of that year. 
Their present house was built in 1839, and dedicated in February, 
1840. Their Society was incorporated January, 1839. They have 
had eleven ministers, namely : Rev. Messrs. N. B. Spalding, E. T. 
Taylor, E. Blake, D. Webb, I. M. BidweU, S. B. Hascall, M. Sta- 
ples, J. Fillmore, H. Brownson, P. Crandall, and J. Bonney, their 
present pastor. They number 225 communicants and 100 families. 
Thieir Sabbath School numbers 220, and the average attendance for 
1840, was about 160. 

The Christian Church was organized April, 1829. Their house 
was built in 1831, and dedicated September 26th of that year. 
Their Society was incorporated June 1831. They have had eight 
ministers, to wit : Rev. Messrs. Joshua V. Himes, Benjamin Taylor, 
H. Taylor, James Taylor, Simon Clough, Mr. Lane, A. G-. Cum- 
mi^gs, and Jonathan Thompson, who has left within a few days. 
The number of members in full communion is 426, and of families, 
140. Their Sabbath School numbers 264, and the average attend- 
ance for 1840, was 170. 

Tlie Unitarian Society was incorporated March, 1832. They pur- 
chased and occupied the meeting house formerly belonging to the 
Congregational Church ; and their first minister. Rev. George W. 
Briggs, was installed Sept. 24, 1834. He was dismissed November, 
1837. Rev. A. C. L. Arnold was instaUed March 23, 1840. Their 
present meeting house was built in 1834, and dedicated January 28, 
1835. Their present number of conamunicants is thirty, and of fam- 
ilies ninety-five. Their Sabbath School numbers 100, and the aver- 
age attendance for 1840, was 50. 

The Episcopal Church was organized July 15, 1836, and is called 
"The Church of the Ascension." Their Society was incorporated 
in 1837. Two ministers have labored statedly with them, — Rev. 
P. H. Greenleaf, and their present minister. Rev. George M. Ran- 
dall, whose labors commenced July, 1838. They have purchased 
the house lately occupied by the Baptist Church, which was conse- 



56 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

crated August, 1840. They number 60 members in communion, and 
40 families. Their Sabbath School has 130, and an average attend- 
ance of about 100. 

The Associate Presbyterian Church Avas oi-ganized in August, 
1837. They have no minister, and no meeting house, and for some 
time past have discontinued public worship, or met only occasionally.* 

The Catholics, who are chiefly Irish immigrants, have a house for 
worsliip, which was built in 1836-7. They number about 110 fam- 
ilies, and from 200 to 220 in their Sabbath School. 

In March, 1840, a Universalist Society was fonned, belonging to 
which are 27 members, 35 families, and 35 Sabbath School teachers 
and pupils. They have no school in the winter. No church is 
formed. They have had preaching the year past, but now they have 
no stated preacher, and no meeting house. 

There are three families residing here, who are connected with the 
New Jerusalem Church in Bridgewater. They commenced holding 
meetings at a private house in 1839, and still continue them. 

Thus while three or four of the Congregations in this village are 
small, most of the othera are lar-ge ; and they are composed of a 
young, intelligent and enterprising population. From the foregoing 
statistics, it appears that the number of members, in eight of the 
churches, is one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five ; and that 
the number of families nominally connected with the eleven congre- 
gations, is one thousand one hundred and ten. This is nearly equal 
to the whole number of families in the village and vicinity. Most 
of the families among us consider themselves as nominally connected 
with some congregation ; though many, (it is believed not less than 
200 families,) rarely, if ever attend public worship. 

It appears, moreover, that 2,281 are enrolled in the several Sab- 
bath Schools, and that the aggregate average attendance in them is 
1,573. ' 

It may be added, that though this people are divided into so many 
sects, — each of which is neither slow nor timid to assert and defend 
its distinctive doctrinal peculiarities, — yet perhaps there is no town 
in New England where more general harmony prevails, or kinder 
neighborhood intercourse is enjoyed, or where the members of differ- 
ent denominations shake hands more cordially. 

*Thi8 Church was subsequently disbanded. — Pub. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 57 

It is time to close this discourse. My brethren and friends, all 
earthly things are changing, fading, vanishing away. One gener- 
ation goeth, and another cometh. " Our fathers, where are they 1" 
We shall presently folIoAV them, and our children, in turn, will soon 
lie quietly in the dust, by our side. In a little while we shall walk 
these streets and meet in these temples no more. 

I have spoken of the origin, progress, present condition, and peo- 
ple, of this new and thriving place. But notwithstanding these 
ever falling waters, and these granite buildings, and all this iron ma- 
chinery, and every thing that looks so strong and permanent around 
us, the time may come when this village shall be razed from its deep- 
est foundations. Where are the people of former ages ? They all 
sleep in the dust. Where are the mighty works which their enter- 
prize and industry produced ? They have long ago tumbled into 
ruin. Where is Babylon, "The glory of the Chaldees' excellency," 
with her broad walls and lofty terraces "? Where is No, [Thebes,] 
populous No, with her hundred gates and her temples of massy 
stone ? Where is Ninevah, that exceeding great city, of tlu'ee days' 
journey about, with her 1,500 towers, 400 feet in height ? They 
are gone, gone forever ; and the spots where they respectively stood 
are hardly known. And what shall be the future history of this, 
our village *? Who can ask this question ? Who of us can antici- 
pate the answer to this question, without deep solicitude ? For my- 
self, I may be allowed to say, that having spent nearly ten years of 
my life on this spot, and in devoting my best energies to the service 
of this people, I feel an interest in the future prosperity and glory 
of Fall Eiver, felt for no other place on earth. 

In conlusion, then, let me urge my beloved brethren and sistei's in 
Christ, and the whole people of my charge, and all my respected 
neighbors of other congregations, "to fear God and keep his com- 
mandments. " If the Lord be honored ; if his Sabbaths be kept 
holy ; if his word be studied and obeyed ; if profanity, and intem- 
perance, and injustice, and all immorality be put away, and truth, 
and purity, and piety prevail ; if the family altar be set up and 
kept up in our houses ; if our fathers and mothers, following Jesus 
Chi'ist and him crucified, 

" Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way;" 
if our "young men and maidens" seek the Lord, and praise His 
name ; if our children are "trained up in the way they should go," 



58 HISTORY OF FALL niVER. 

and consecrate the dew of their youth to Hun who requires the 
heart ; then this village will grow, and live, and be the blessed 
dwelling place of many generations yet unborn. And,' beloved, we 
will cleave to the precious and consoling assurance that God, who 
has shown us that he is rich in mercy, wiU yet pour forth more co- 
pious showers of grace ; and that every soul in this place may be 
turned "from the error of his ways to the wisdom of the just." 
You will join me in the prayer, that those who are in infancy and 
youth, and all who shall rise up in our places, when we are dead 
and in the dust, may serve God Avith greater zeal and fidelity than 
we have done ; and that the bright sun, which shall not go down foi^ 
a thousand years, may rise early and shine without a cloud upon 
this our goodly heritage. Then, when we are gone, men more de- 
voted to the interests of truth and piety will occupy our places, and 
more fervent prayers than ours will ascend from this favored spot. 
Then, these little elms,* that now wave in the breeze, will spread 
their majestic branches over a people whom the King of Zion will 
delight to honor. Then the thousands of Israel, while they bow 
before the throne of mercy, with a fervor of faith and devotion kin- 
dled by the full beams of millenial glory, will here dwell in harmony 
and love, and divine influence will come upon Fall River "as the 
dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains 
of Zion, where the Lord commanded His blessing, even life forever- 
more. " 

*Main Street was set with two rows of elms in 1840. 



APPENDIX. 59 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE A— PAGE 19. 



A late writer, speaking of Col. Church, says : — " Of all the English who 
bore commands during the great Indian war, none was so much feared, so 
much respected, and finally so much beloved by them, as this terrible and 
triumphant enemy. In conducting such wars, he was unrivalled ; though 
many have acquired much reputation for their skill in managing and fighting 
Indians, none have exhibited a genius or an aptitude equal to Church. An- 
thony Wayne and Andi-ew Jackson have received their full share of fame for 
their skill and their knowledge in directing the operations of this, the most 
dangerous and dreadful of all the modes of war ; but they were never placed 
in such perils and difficulties as were encountered and overcome by Benjamin 
Church." _ 

Benjamin Church was born at Duxbury, 1639. He married Alice South- 
worth, grand-daughter of the distinguished wife of Gov. Bradford, — by whom 
he had five sons and two daughters. The wif(#of the late Deacon Sylvester 
Brownell, of Little Compton, was his great-grand-daughter. 



NOTE B— PAGE 19. DEED OF THE FREEMEN'S PURCHASE. 

" Know all men by these Presents, that we, Ossamequin, Wamsitta, Tatta- 
panum, natives inhabiting and living within the government of New Plymouth, 
in New England, in America, have bargained, sold, enfeoffed and confirmed 
unto Capt. James Cudworth, Josiah Winslow, Constant Southworth, John 
Barnes, John Tesdale, Humi^hrey Turner, Walter Hatch, Samuel House, 
Samuel Jackson, John Damon, Mr. Timothy Hatherly, Timothy Foster, 
Thomas Southworth, George Watson, Nathabiel Morton, Richard Moore, 
Edmund Chandler, Samuel Nash, Henry Howland, Mr. Ralph Patridge, Love 
Brewster, William Paybodie, Christopher Wadsworth, Kenelme Winslow, 
Thomas Bourne, John "Waterman, the son of Robert Waterman ; and do by 
these presents bargain, sell, enfeoff and confirm from us, our heirs, unto 
James Cudworth, Josiah Winslow, (S:c., and their heirs, all the tract of upland 
and meadow lying on the easterly side of Taunton river, beginning or bounded 



60 APPENDIX. 



toward the South with the river called the Falls, or Quequechand, and so ex- 
tending itself northerly until it comes to a little brook, called by the English 
by the name af Stacey's Creek, which brook issues out of the woods into the 
marsh or bay of Assonet, close by the narrowing of Assonate Neck, and from 
a marked tree near the said brook at the head of the marsh, to extend itself 
into the woods on a northeasterly point four miles, and from the head of said 
four miles on a strait line southerly until it meet with the head of the four 
mile line at Quequechand, or the Falls aforesaid ; including all meadows, 
necks, or islands lying and being between Assonate Neck and the Falls afore- 
said, (except the land that Tabatacason hath in present use,) and all the mead- 
ows upon Assonate Neck, on the South side of the said Neck. And all the 
meadow on the westerly side of Taunton river from Taunton bounds round 
until it comes to the head of Weypoyset river ; in all creeks, coves, rivers, 
and inland meadow not lying above four miles from the flowuig of the tide 
in ; and for the consideration of twenty coats, two rugs, two iron pots, two 
kettles and one little kettle, eight pair of shoes, six pair of stockings, one 
dozen of hoes, one dozen of hatchets, two yards of broadcloth, and a debt 
satisfied to John Barnes, which was due from Wamsitta unto John Barnes 
before the 24th of December, 1657 ; all being unto us in hand j^aid ; where- 
with we, the said Osssamequin, Wamsitta, Tattapanum, are fully satisfied, 
contented and paid, and do by these presents exonerate, acquit, and discharge 
[here all the grantees are again named] they and either of them and each of 
the heirs and executors of them forever. Warranting the hereof from all 
persons from, by, or under us, laying any claim unto the premises from, by, 
or under us, claiming any right or title thereunto, or unto any part or parcel 
thereof, the said [grantees] to have and to hold to them and their heirs for- 
ever, all the above upland and meadow as is before expressed, with all the 
appurtenances thereunto belonging, from us, Ossamequin, Wamsitta, and 
Tattapanum, and every of us, our heirs, and every of them forever, unto 
them, they, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, accord- 
ing to the tenure of East Gr£|||iwich, in free soccagej and not in capite nor 
by knight's service. 

Also, the said Ossamequin, Wamsitta, and Tattapanum, do covenant and 
grant that it may be lawful for the said [grantees] to enter the said deed in 
the Court of Plymouth, or in any other court of record provided for in such 
case ; in and for the true performance whereof, Ossamequin, Wamsitta and 
Tattapanum have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 2d day of April, 1659. 



(S.) 

WAMSITTA, his X mark. (S.) 

, TATTAPANUM, her X mark. (S.) 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of 

THOMAS COOKE, 
JONATHAN BRIGD, 
JOHN SASSAMON. 

Ossamequin never signed the deed. It was acknowledged June 9, 1659, 
by Wamsitta and the Squaw Tattapanum, before Josiah Winslow and Wm. 
Bradford, Assistants." — ( Vide Baylies' History of Plymouth, vol. 2d, part 4, 
p. 67. 



APPENDIX. Gl 



NOTE D— PAGE 21. 

The following is a copy of the grand deed of Pocasset — now Tiverton : 

" To all to whom these presents shall come, Josiah Winslow, Esq., Gov- 
ernor of the Colony of New Plymouth, Major Wm. Bradford, Treasurer of 
the said Colony, Mr. Thomas Hinckley and Major James Cudworth, Assist- 
ants to the said Governor, send Greeting ; and whereas we, the said Gov- 
ernor, Treasurer and Assistants, or any two of us, by virtue of an order of the 
General Court of the Colony aforesaid, bearing- date November, A. D. 1676, 
are impowered in the said Colony's behalf to make sale of certain lands be- 
longing to the Colony aforesaid, and to make and seal deeds for the confir- 
mation of the same, as by the said torder remaining on ^cord in the said 
Court rolls more at large appeareth ; now, know ye that we, the said Gov- 
ernor, Treasurer and Assistants, as agents, and in behalf of the said Colony, 
for and in consideration of the full and just sum of one thousand and one 
hundred pounds in lawful money of New England, to us in hand, before the 
ensealing and delivering of these presents, well and truly paid by Edward 
Gray, of Plymouth, in the Colony aforesaid ; Nathaniel Thomas, of INIarsh- 
field, in the Colony aforesaid ; Benjamin Church, of Puncatest, in the Colony 
aforesaid ; Christopher Almy, Job Almy and Thomas Waite, of Portsmouth, 
in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ; Daniel Wilcox, 
of Puncatest, and William Manchester, of Puncatest, in the Colony of New 
Plymouth aforesaid, with which the said sum, we, the said agents, do acknowl- 
edge to be fully satisfied, contented and paid, and thereof do acquit and dis- 
charge the said [grantees] and their heirs, executors, administrators and as- 
signs forever ; by these presents have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, 
enfeoffed and confirmed ; and by these presents for us and the said Colony of 
New Plymouth, do freely, fully and absolutely give, grant, &c., to the said 
[grantees] all those lands situate, lying and being at Pocasset, and places ad- 
jacent in the Colony of Plymouth aforesaid, and is bounded as followeth : — 
Northward and westward by the Freemen's lot, near the Fall River ; west- 
ward by the Bay or Sound that runneth between the said lands and Rhode 
Island ; southward partly by Seaconnet bounds, and partly by Dartmouth 
bounds, and northward and eastward up into the woods till it meets with the 
lands formerly granted by the Court to other men, and legally obtained by 
them from the natives, not extending further than Middlebury town bounds 
and Quitquissit ponds." [Several small reservations previously sold are here 
named, and the deed proceeds in the usual form, and adds] " that is to say, 
to the said Edward Gray nine shares or thirtieth parts ; to the said Nathan- 
iel Thomas five shares or thirtieth parts ; to the said Benjamin Church one 
share or thirtieth part ; to the said Christopher Almy three shares and three- 
quarters of one share ; to the said Job Almy three shares and one-quarter of 
a share ; to the said Thomas Waite one share j to the said Daniel Wilcox 
two shares ; to the said William Manchester five shares." [The rest of the 
deed is in the usual form of a warrantee deed.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of witnesses, March 5, 
1779-80. JOSIAH WINSLOW, Governor. 

WM. BRADFORD, Treasurer. 
THOMAS HINCKLEY, } . ■ , , 
JAMES CUDWORTH, ^Assistants. 

Acknowledged March 6, 1679-80. 



02 Al'PKNDIX. 



NOTE E— PAGE 21. 

" Nov. 1, 1700. Know all men by these presents, that whereas we, Josiah 
Winslow, Robert Durfee and Henry Brightman, being chosen agents by the 
proprietors of Freetown ; and Christopher Almy, Samuel Little and Richard 
Borden, being chosen agents by the proprietors of Tiverton, to run and 
settle the purchase bounds between the aforesaid Freetown and Tiverton ; we 
have accordingly performed the same as followeth : beginning at a cleft rock 
on the East side of the country road, near the Fall River, said rock being 
the bounds of theTreemen's first lot ; ftnd from said rock ranging Southwest 
and by West to the river at the westerly side of the country road, and from 
thence the river to be the bounds westerly unto Taunton river ; and fi-om 
the aforesaid rock, ranging East Southeast four miles into the woods by a 
range of marked trees unto a heap of stones with several trees marked about 
it ; and from said heap of stones ranging Northeast and by North one degree 
northerly by a range of marked trees unto a stone set in the ground, with 
other stones laid about it, being the head of the four mile line from Stacy's 
creek; said range to extend till it meet with Middlebury town bounds. 
These aforementioned boundaries, thus run and settled, we do mutually agree, 
shall be the perpetual bounds between the land of the aforesaid proprietors 
of Freetown and the proprietors of Tiverton. 

In witness whereof, we, the aforesaid agents have hereunto jointly and sev- 
erally set our hand the day and year first above -vmtten. 

HENRY BRIGHTMAN, 

Signed and delivered in presence of us. ^ ROBERT DURFEE, 

JACOB SAMSON, JOSIAH WINSLOW, 

his )> RICHARD BORDEN, 

SAMUEL t^ SHERMAN. | CHRISTOPHER ALMY, 

mark. J SAMUEL LITTLE. 



NOTE F— rAGE 23. 

A few words are necessary to explain, what is to be understood by Old 
Style and New Style. 

The Julian Calendar proceeded on the supposition that a year is 365 days 
and 6 hours ; whereas in truth, an annual revolution of the sun is performed 
in 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 1-2 seconds ; so that the Julian 
civil year was too long, and exceeded the solar year by 11 minutes and 14 1-2 
seconds; which, in about 130 years amounted to one day. Pope Gregory 
XIII. corrected the error, in 1582. The time, as computed by the Julian 
method (which is called Old Style,) had then advanced ten days beyond the 
true time. He ordered that ten days should be suppressed, and that thence- 
forth three days should be dropped every 400 years, which would be nearly 
equivalent to one dav in 130 years. 

The year under the Old Style began the 25th of March : he ordered that 



APPENDIX. 63 



it should begin the 1st of January. This new reckoning was caHed New 
Style. It was not adopted in England and this country till 1752, when the 
error had reached eleven days. In old records, deeds and other papers, we 
find, between 1st of January and 25th of March, double dates, as Jan. 17, 
1717-18, which means 1717 Old Style, and 1718 New Style. Another per- 
plexity often arises from not recollecting that January and February were 
the latter part of the year. For instance, a distinguished man, who died a 
hundred years ago in February, it was said preached an ordination sermon in 
July of the same year, which was true, reckoning according to Old Style. 
Another example : King George III. in May, 1746, ordered Tiverton to be 
set to Rhode Island, and the Legislature afterwards, in obedience to that or- 
der, in January of the same year, incorporated anew the town of Tiverton. 
The act of incorporation took place the latter end of the year 1746, Old 
Style, or the beginning of the year 1747, New Style. The practice of double 
dating between 1st of January and 25th of March, was dropped after 175& 



NOTE G— PAGE 37. 

The General School Committee chosen annually by the town of Fall River, 
and the sums voted to be raised for the support of the Public Schools, are as 
follows : — 

1826 — Joseph Hathaway, James Ford, Jason H. Archer, John Lindsey, 
Wm. B. Canedy. $600 voted. 

1827 — James Ford, Joseph Hathawav, Jason H. Archer, John Lindsey, 
Wm. B. Catiedy. $1,288 voted. 

1828— Thos. M. Smith, Arthur A. Ross, Edward T. Taylor, James Ford, 
John Eddy. $1,200 voted. 

1829— James Ford, Thos. M. Smith, Arthur A. Ross, Hezekiah Battelle, 
'John Eddy. $1,200 voted. 

1830 — Thos. M. Smith, Jason H. Archer, Arnold Buffum, Foster Hooper, 
Thomas Wilbur. $1,200 voted. 

1831— Foster Hooper, Thos. M. Smith, Thomas Wilbur, Bmdiey Miner, 
Leander P. Lovell. $2,000 voted, 

1832 — Thomas Wilbur, Orin Fowler, Harvey Chace, Bradley Miner, Na- 
than Durfee. $2,500 voted. 

« 1833 — Orin Fowler, Harvey Chace, Nathan Durfee, Thomas Wilbur, 
Harvey Harnden, James Ford. $3,000 voted. 

1834 — Orin Fowler, Asa Bronson, Harvey Chace, Philip R. Bennett, 
Thomas Wilbur, Nathan Durfee. $3,000 voted. 

1835 — Orin Fowler, Asa Bronson, Simon Clough, George W. Briggs, 
Nathan Durfee, James Ford. $3,500 voted. 

1836 — David Anthony, James Ford, Harvey Chace. $3,500 voted. 

1837 — James Ford, Joseph F. Lindsey, Benjamin B. Sisson, George W. 
Briggs, Orin Fowler. $4,250 voted. 

1838 — Joseph F. Lindsey, James Ford, Benjamin B. Sisson, Orin Fowler, 
Eliab Williams. $4,000 voted. 

1839— Orin Fowler, Asa Bronson, James Ford, Eliab Williams, Joseph F. 
Lindsey. $4,500. 



64 AITENOIX. 

1840— Orin Fowler, Asa Bronson, James Ford, Eliab Williams, Joseph F. 
Lindsey, Jonathan S. Thompson, George M. Randall. $4,500 voted. 

The following persons have held the office of Town Clerk of the town of 
Fall River :— 

Walter I). Chaloner, elected 1803 ; Benjamin Brightman, 1804 ; Wm. B. 
Canedy, 1814: Nathaniel Luther, 1816; Joseph E. Read, 1817; John C. 
Borden, 1821; Nathaniel B. Borden, 1825; Benjamin Anthony, 1826; 
Stephen K. Crary, 1831 ; Benjamin Earl, 1836. 

The following persons have held the office of Selectmen of Fall River: — 

1803 — Thomas Borden, Benjamin Durfee, Robert Miller. 

1804 — Samuel Thurston, Benjamin Durfee, Robert Miller. 

1805 — Nathan Bowen, Pardon Davol, Elijah Blossom, Jr. 

1806 — Jonathan Brownell, Abraham Bowen, Elijah Blossom, Jr. 

1807 — Jonathan Brownell, Elijah Blossom, Stephen Leonard. 

1808 — Nathan Bowen, Henry Brightman, David Wilson. 

1809— David Wilson, William Read, Jr., Charles Durfee. 

1810— Charles Durfee, David Wilson, Wm. Read, Jr. 

1811 — David Wilson, Wm. Read, Jr., Benjamin Bennett, 2d. 

1812— Hezekiah Wilson, WiUiam B. Canedy, William Borden. 

1813 — William B. Canedy, William Borden, Isaac Winslow. 

1814 — William Borden, Benjamin W. Brown, Simmons Hathaway. 

1815 — Benjamin W. Brown, Sheffel Weaver, Bradford Durfee. 

1816— Sheffel Weaver, William Ashley, William Read. 

1817 — Sheffel Weaver, Abraham Bowen, William Ashley. 

1818 — '19 — Benjamin W. Brown, Charles Pitman, James G. Bowen. 

1820 — Sheffel Weaver, Benjamin W. Brown, Richard Borden, 2d. 

182 1-'2— Robert Miller, Charles Pitman, Enoch French. 

1823 — Joseph E. Read, Benjamin W. Brown, Edmund Chace. 

1824-'5-'6-'7— Enoch French, Hezekiah Wilson, William Read. 

1828-9— Enoch French, Sheffel Weaver, William Read. 

1830— Sheffel Weaver, John Eddy, William Read. 

1831 — Samuel Chace, Robinson Buffington, William Ashley. 

1832 — Samuel Chace, Leonard Garfield, William Ashley. 

1833 — Samuel Chace, Matthew C. Durfee, Elijah Pierce. 

1834 — Samuel Chace, Azariah Shove, Smith Winslow. 

1835 '6-'7-'8— John Eddy, Israel Anthony, Luther Winslow. 

1839— John Eddy, Israel Anthony, Russel Hathaway. 
1840 — Nathaniel B. Borden, Israel Anthony, William Read. 



NOTE H— PAGE 38. 

The number of children in the town of Fall, in 1840, between the ages of 
4 and 16, is in District No. 1, 291 ; No. 2, 139 ; No. 11, 603 ; No. 12, 400 ; 
No. 14, 48 ; total in the village, 1,481. District No. 3, 32 ; No. 4, 80 ; 
No. 5, 49; No. 6, 26; No. 7, 18; No. 8, 31; No. 9, 14; No. 10, 13; No. 
13, 45 ; total out of the village, 308. Total in the town, 1,789. 



APPENDIX. 65 



NOTE I— PAGE 38. 

Since Fall River was incorporated, in 1803, there have been thirteen regu- 
lar practising Physicians in this town, namely : 

Doct.'s John Turner,* Ashbel Willard,t Amery Glazier, Jason H. Archer, 
Thomas Wilbur, Nathan Durfee, Foster Hooper, Benjainin B. Sissont,Thos. 
T. WeUs,t Amos C. Wilbur, William H. A. Crary, Henry Willard. 

There have been ten persons practising Law, to wit : 

Oakes Anger,* John Lindsey, George B. Holmes,* James Ford, Joseph 
Hathaway,t Hezekiah Battelle, Cyrus Alden, Eliab Williams, George Paine,* 
William J. A. Bradford.t 

The following persons have held the office of Justice of the Peace : 

George Brightman,* James Brightman* Charles Durfee,* Joseph E, Read, 
WiUiam B. Oanedy, Hezekiah Wilson, Cyrus Alden, James Ford, Hezekiah 
Battelle, Joseph Goodding,t Eliab Williams, Israel Anthony, Benjamin B. 
.Sisson,t Benjamin Anthony,* Joseph Hathaway,t Anthony Mason, Dand 
Anthony, Nathaniel B. Borden, John Fessenden.t 

Hon. Nathaniel B. Borden, of this town, was a member of the 24th and the 
25th Congress ; and is the member elect of the 27th Congress of the United 
States, for District No. 10, Mass. 

The following persons, citizens of Fall River, have been members of the 
Senate of Massachusetts: Hon. Thomas Durfee, from 1781 to 1788; Hon. 
John Eddy 1838; Hon. Foster Hooper 1840 -'41. 

The following persons have been Representatives in the General Court of 
Massachusetts : 

1803 — Voted not to elect. 104 — Abraham Bowen. 

1805-6— Jonathan Brownell. 1807-8— Abraham Bowen. 

1809-'10-'11-'12-'13— Robert Miller. 

1814-'15— Joseph E. Read. 18 16-' 17— Hezekiah Wilson. 

18 18-'19— Joseph E. Read. 1820— Voted not to elect. 

1821— Abraham Bowen. 1822— Robert Miller. 

1823-'24— Wm. B. Canedy. 1825— James Ford. 1826— Voted not to 
elect. 

1827— Joseph Hathaway. 1828— Enoch French. 

1829 — Joseph E. Read, Enoch French, Anthony Mason. 

1830 — Frederick Winslow, Anthony Mason, Joseph E. Read. 

1831 — Nathaniel B. Borden, Foster Hooper, Frederick Winslow. 

1832 — Simeon Borden, Azariah Shove, Anthony Mason, Barnabas Blossom. 

1833 — Simeon Borden, Azariah Shove, Smith Winslow, Isaac Borden, Earl 
Chace. 

1834 — Nath'l B. Borden, Micah H. Ruggles, Anthony Mason, Jervis 
Shove, William Winslow. 

1835— Micah H. Ruggles, Anthony Mason, Philip R. Bennett, Job B. 
French, Elijah Peirce. 

1836 — Micah H. Ruggles, Anthony Mason, Caleb B. Vickery, Wm. Ash- 
ley, Gilbert H. Durfee. 

^Deceased. tKemoved from town. 
J 



()G APPENDIX. 



1837— Miciih H. llu^gles, Cyrus Alden, John Eddy, Constant B. Wyatt, 
Richard C. French, Philip S. Brown. 

1838— Frederick Winslow, Benjamin B. Sisson, Philip S. Brown, Heze- 
kiah Battelle. 

1539— Micah H. Ruggles, Iram Smith, G. Brightman, 2d, John A. Harris. 

1840— John Eddy, Perez Mason, Nathan Durfee, Enoch French. 

1841 — Nathan Durfee, Job B. French, Lindon Cook. 



NOTE K— PAGE 40. 
The petition referred to on page 40, is omitted for want of room. 



NOTE L— PAGE 44. 

The Rev. Silas Brett had eight childi-en, five sons and three daughters, to 
wit: Olive, bom 1749; Joshua Howard, 1751; Susannah, 1753; Thankful, 
1755; Silas, 1757; Ebenezer, 1761; Calvin, 1763; Silas, 1767. Joshua 
Howard Brett was a respectable physician ; settled first at Assonet ; then in 
Delaware county. New York, where he died 1822. Calvin, who resides at 
Easton, is the only one of the above now living. 



Seventh 


Eighth 


Ninth 


Generation. 


Generation. 


Generation. 


Children 


G. Children 




do 


do 




do 


do 




do 


do 




do 


do 




do 


do 




do 


do 




do 






do 






do 






do 






do 






do 






do 






do 







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1-5 LT in '^ 

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CO *J fl ^ 

** 0) IJ to 

^ « p o 

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CIS 



T3 oj g:= 
5 .2 o ° 



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. o 

o <3 



T AND VI 

HAMMETT, Jl^o, 1 




-GE 20. 



f Joseph 
I Phebe 
Williao 

ITsaac 
Thoma! 
Sally 
• { Hope 

I Irene 
Richard 
I Mary 
I John 
I Jefferso 
I Maritta 
rAbraha 

IAmey 
Thoma! 
Hannal 
i Richard 

Cook 
I Lodowii 
I Zephan: 
I & 2 oth 
( Simeon 
J Nath'l 
, Ann 

Judith 
^ Sarah 



C ONANICUT 



ISLAND 




do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

do 



do 



do 



Idren, great grand child. 



2 (_ a'^-^'rz ii 
'"oiO'^ ^ ,ii o =■ s flJ3 



o® a 



H >- ^ .if 

■| a as 

.fc! .2 "^ S 

0-3 2 => s 



S 2 I t;-dm g o fi-g S-3 g §►?!§ 
'^.§l>o^^i'S^^|«^gs^.2 



Childrei 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

5 Holder i 
J sisters 



Childrei 
do 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

do 



do 
isters, children, 



First 
Generation. 



Second 
Generation. 



NOTE O— PAGE 20. 



Third Fourth 

Generation. Generation. 



Fifth 
Generation. 



John 



Thomas. 



' Richard... ^ 



SENEALOBY 

or TUE 

FAMILY 

OF 

JOHN^BORDEN 



John 
Thomas 



.( 



Amie 



William. 
Greorge 



Joseph 



Joseph ... 
Samuel 

Sarah 
Mary 

W""*™ l^ Rebecca 
Benjamin 

Hope 

Mary 

Joseph 



f Richard 

' Christopher 
Rebecca 



Mary 

Abraham. 
Samuel 



j Patience. 
I, Peace 



r. 



Stephen. 



Stephen... i 



C^eoT-^c 

Mary 
Hannah 
Penelope 
, Lusaunah 

Sarah 

Joseph 

William* 
Benjamin 
Parker 
Thomas 
Stephen 
Cieorge 
Kuth 
Ann 
Gideon 
I Rev. Job 



f Patience 
Thomas . 
Sarah , 
Hope 
Betsey 

Mary 
i^ Richard .. 



Simeon 

Perry 
Judith 

Col. Joseph 

Durfce, and 

his brothers 

and sisters. 

Daniel 

John 

Benjamin 

Thomas 

Sarah 

Stephen 

Natbau 

Patience 

Hannah 

LucT 

Mcribah 

Mary 

Lj'dia 

Isaiuli 

Sylvia ( 

George ' 

Stephen ( 
Thomas & 
11 others 

Aaron 

Susan 

Elizabeth 

Joseph 

Parker 

Abel 

Abner 

Abby 

Peace 

Abraham 

Khoda 

Israel 

David 

William 



Sixth 
Generation. 

f Joseph 

IPhebe 
William 
I Isaac 

Thomad 
I Sally 
■{ Hope 

I Irene 
Richard. 
I Maty 
John 
JeffersoQ 
I MaritU 
r Abraham 
Amey 
Thoma.ii 
J Hannah 
\ Richard 

iCook 
Lodowi<:k 
Xephan'.ah 
& 2 others 
Simeon 
Nath'l B 
Ann 
Judith 
I Sarah 



J Children 

Childrea 
Mrs Turner 
Childrea 

Childrefi 

Children 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do , 
do 

I Holder ^ 

sisters 



ChildreM 
do 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

do 



do 



Seventh 
Generation. 
Children 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 



do 
do 
do 
do 



Grand 
Children 

do 
do 
do 

do 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



Eighth 
Generation. 
G. Children^ 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 



Ninth 



GeneraUon. S<^--|- ^"-^5 
- c « 



do 



Great grand 
Children 

do 
do 
do 

do 

do 
do 

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do 



(Great Great 
< Grand 
( Children 



Children 



Gr'd Child 
do 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

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do 



do 
*Ruth Duifee and six sisters, children, grand children, great grand child. 



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— a .i S s ca-TS 

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Jeneration. 


Fifth Gen. 


Sixth Gen. 


Seventh Gen. 


Eighth Gen. 


September, 1748, 


Children. 


Grand Child. 






ril, 1750, - 


do. 


do. 


Great Grand 


Great Great 


)ril, 1752, 






Children. 


Grand Ch'n. 


May, 1754, 


do. 


do. 


do. 




September, 1756, 


do. 


do. 


do. 




igust, 1759, 










jvember, 1761. 


do. 


do. 


do. 




November, 1764, 


do. 








66, 


do. 


do. 






i, 


do. 


do. 






inuary, 1771, 










agust, 1773, 


do. 


do. 






;hard, 


do. 
do. 


do. 
do. 


do. 





icestor of most who bear his name in this vicinity, lived and died at 
iverton, of William Manchester, one of the eight original proprietors, for 
spot where Dea. Richard Durfee, his grandson, now resides. Benjamin 
3, aged 52. Hon. Thomas Durfee, son of Benjamin, was much in public 
;n years; and of the House of Representatives twenty years.; in all thirty 
usetts. He died July, 1796, aged 75. His wife Patience, (who wai the 
■2, aged 71. 
ras of another family, and his descendants, it is said, removed to Mid- 



HISTORY OF FALL RFVEK. 67 



MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND 



After a controversy between Massachusetts and Rhode Island of 
ahnost two hundred years' duration, the Supreme Court of the 
United States has made a final decision in regard to the respective 
boundaries of the two States. As the citizens of Fall River have 
been particularly interested in this subject, from their connection 
with it in 1846, and as the decision of the Court will very materi- 
ally influence the future of our city, it is proposed to give a short, 
concise account of the leading events in the history of this contro- 
versy, — more particularly of such as had reference to places in or 
near Fall River. 

In November, 1620, two months subsequent to the sailing of the 
Mayflower, James, I., King of England, by a charter generally 
called the Great Patent or Charter of New England, granted to 
the Plymouth Company, or the Council at Plymouth, in Englaiad, 
the govei'nment of a tract of country in America, included between 
the 40th and the 48th degree of North latitude, and between the 
Atlantic and "Western" Oceans ; this tract to be called New Eng- 
land. 

Our Pilgrim fathers, the pioneers in the settlement of the country 
thus chartered, formed their own compact of self-government in No- 
vember, one month befoi'e landing at Plpnouth, and they continued 
to act under this compact, with no legal right to the country in 
which they governed, until 1629, when the Council at Plymouth 
(Eng.) granted a charter to William Bradford and his associates, in 
which the boundaries of that part of New England subsequently 
known as Plymouth Colony, were defined. One-half of the waters 
mentioned as the Narragansett River, formed her Western limit.* 

*A11 the territory included in this charter was purchased of the Indians by the 
Colonists. The Mount Hope country, (now Bristol,) afterwards confirmed to the 
Colony by Charles II., was conquered from Philip in 1667. 



First Generation. 



2d Gener'n. 



Third Generation. 



GENEALOGY 



or TIIK 



FAMILY OF 



THOMAS DURFEE, ). Benjamin.. ^ 



James, bom Aur. 28, 1701, 

Ann, January 11, 1703, 

rk>pe, January 7, 1705, 

William, Dec. 5, 1707. 

Benjamin, Jan. 5, 1709, 

Mary, Jan. 30, 1711, 

Lusannah, Jan. 2K, 1713, ' 

Martha. July 15, 1719, 

Hon. Thomas, Nov. 5, 1721, { Samuel, Aigust,' 1773, 



Fonrth (feneration. 

( Hope, born September, 1748, 
I Joseph, April, 1750, ^ 
Nathan, A)ril, 17.52. 
Benjamin, May, 1754, 
Pru<lence, September, 1756, 
Abipail, A igust, 1759, 
(Jharl.s, X .vember, 1761. 
Lusannah, November, 1764, 
Nathan, 17^6, 
James, 176s^ 
Thomas, J inuar\', 1771. 



Fifth Gen. SixtfaGen. Seventh Gen. Eighth Gen. 



Children, 
do. 



do. 
do. 



^ Kichard, Nov. 9, 1723. 



Ephraim, 
Sarah, 
Deacon Ri 
^, Rebecca, 



hard. 



do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

do. 



do. 
do. 



Grand Child, 
do. 

do. 
do. 

do. 

do. 
do. 



Great Grand 

Children. 

do. 

do. 

do. 



Great Great 
Grand Ch'n. 



do. 



do. 
do. 



do. 



Thomas Durfeo, the first of the name in this repion, and, (as is believed,) the ai 
I'ortsmoulii, Rhode Island. Tie purchased, in l<i80, one-sixtieth of the town of! 
X34. This land he ^ave to his son Benjamin, in 1712, who then resided near the 
Durfce died January «, 1754, aged 74. His wife Prudence died March 11, 17: 
life. He was a member of the Governor's Council three years; of the Senate sev 
years a member of the Council, or of one branch of the Legislature of Massacb 
fourth fceneration from John Borden,) was born August, 1731, and died July, 18( 

In the early records of Freetown, Robert Durfee is repeatedly mentioned. He " 
dk'bo rough. 



icestor of most who bear his name in this vicinity, lived and died at 
iverton, of William Manchester, one of the eight original proprietors, for 
spot where Dea. Richard Durfee, his grandson, now resides. Benjamin 
3, aged 52. Hon. Thomas Durfee, son of Benjamin, was much in public 
in years ; and of the House of Representatives twenty years ; in all thirty 
usetts. He died July, 1796, aged 75. His wife Patience, (who wai the 
•2, aged 71. 
<ras of another family, and his descendants, it is said, removed to Mid- 



G8 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

No proof can be obtained of the confirmation of this charter by the 
Crown, but the Colonists were recognized as a government by the 
Kings of England, and continued to hold and exercise jurisdiction 
over the territory mentioned, for more than one hundred and sixteen 
years. 

In 1643,«the Earl of Warwick, and others, granted to Roger 
Williams the first charter of Rhode Island. This charter did not 
conflict with the claims of Plymouth ; but in 1663, Charles 11. 
gi'anted another patent to the citizens of Rhode Island, by which 
some parts of the eastern boundary of that Colony were extended 
three miles to the east and northeast of Narragansett Bay ; all of 
which territory was claimed by Plymouth. 

Plymouth immediately took measures to secure her rights, by ap- 
plication to King Charles, who accordingly appointed commissionei's 
in 1664. These commissioners reported in favor of Plymouth, and 
their decision was confirmed by the King. F'x'om this time until 
1746, the disputed territory was governed in accordance with this 
decision — Plymouth Colony exercising jurisdiction over the tract 
granted in her first patent, until 1691, Avhen, by a charter from 
William and Mary, it was united with other territories, to form the 
Province of Massachusetts. The boundaries remained unchanged, 
and for the following fifty-five years it was under the government of 
Massachusetts. Thus for one hundred and sixteen years the bound- 
ary of Plymouth, as established by her original charter in 1629, was 
recognized and confirmed as the true boundary between Massachu- 
setts and Rhode Island. 

In 1740, however, Rhode Island again applied to the Crown for a 
re-examination of her eastern boundary. She could have had no 
other encouragement to hope for a successful result of such an appli- 
cation, than the known disposition of England to contract, as much 
as possible, both the territorial and civil rights of Massachusetts, — 
a disposition which had just been shown in the settlement of the 
boundary between that province and New Hampshire. As this set- 
tlement gave to New Hampshire more territory than she claimed, 
Rhode Island had reason for expecting that she too would obtain 
some advantage by again agitating this question. 

In response to the application of Rhode Island, George H. ap- 
pointed fifteen commissioners, eight of whom met at Providence in 
1740, and there examined the claims of both parties. After a ses- 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 69 

sion of nearly three months, they made their award, which, al- 
though favorable to Rhode Island, was appealed from by both Prov- 
inces. This award, nevertheless, was confirmed by the Iving in 
1746. By this decision Little Compton, Tiverton, Bristol, Barring- 
ton, Warren and Cumberland, were added to the territoi-y of Rhode 
Island. For marking the boundaries thus decided upon, commis- 
sioners were to be appointed by Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 
with instructions to run six straight lines (each extending three miles 
into the territory formerly claimed by Massachusetts,*) from points 
mentioned on Providence River and Narragansett Bay ; the termi- 
nations of these six lines to be united by other straight lines, which 
would foi*m the required boundary. 

When this business came before the next session of the Massa- 
chusetts legislature, it was found that Rhode Island had already ap- 
pointed commissioners, who, without waiting for the actioft of Mas- 
sachusetts, had run the lines, ex parte. Massachusetts (supposing' 
that they had, as they professed to have done, marked the boundary 
in accordance with the decision of the King,) took no measures for 
having it examined until 1791, when, in consequence of renewed 
difficulties, she appointed commissioners, who were empowered to 
ascertain, run and mark (in conjunction with similarly appointed 
commissioners from Rhode Island,) the boundary between the two 
States, in accordance with the directions of the King in 1746, if such 
directions could be mutually understood. 

These commissioners proceeded to measure the lines previously run 
by the ex parte commissioners of Rhode Island, and found that in 
every case they infringed upon the territory of Massachusetts, from 
eight to one hundred and sixty-eight rods. There was also a disa- 
gi'eement between them as to the proper point of commencing the 
measurement of that line which forms the southern boundary of Fall 
River. They could come to no decision in regard to a part of the 
boundary, and reported thus to their respective legislatures. 

Again in 1844, six commissioners (three from each State) were ap- 
pointed by Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and authorized to estab- 
lish the true boundary line from the Atlantic Ocean to Burnt Swamp 
Comer. Two of the Massachusetts commissioners and the three 
from Rhode Island came to the same conclusion as to the proper line, 
and their report, with that of the minority, was presented to the 
legislature on the 13th of January, 1848. When meters had pro- 



70 IILSTOKY OF FALL UIVEK. 

ceetled thus far, jind the question which had been agitated for two 
hundred years was apparently about to be settled, its decision was 
again delayed. 

At this time the townsmen of Fall River appointed Orin Fowler, 
Foster Hooper and Phineas W. Leland, a committee to petition the 
Massachusetts legislature not to allow any settlement of the bound- 
ary less advantageous than that granted by George IE. in 1741. 
The question in which Fall River felt particularly interested, was in 
regard to the proper position of one of the three mile lines, which, 
as run by the ex jicirte commissioners of Rhode Island, passed through 
the town, but which it was now claimed should have been run far- 
ther to the south. The facts in the matter were as follows : — In 
their award of 1741, the King's commissioners gave special dii'ec- 
tions in regard to the points from which measurements were to be 
made in finding and marking the true boundary. These directions 
all subsequent commissioners professed to follow ; but the petitioners 
of Fall River claimed that they had not done so in respect (among 
other points) to one mentioned in the King's award as "a certain 
point four hundred and forty rods to the southward of the mouth of 
Fall River," from which a line was to be run three miles toward the 
east, forming the northern boundary of that part of Rhode Island. 

In measuring this 440 rods, the ec^xirte commissioners of 1746 
"measured round a cove or inlet, and followed the sinuosities of the 
shore " until they reached a point from a quarter to a half mile 
farther north than if the same distance had been measured in a 
straight line. From this point they extended the three mile line, 
running it through the village of Fall River, and the boundary thus 
established had since remained unchanged. 

The Fall River petitioners claimed, and gave reason for such 
claim, that George II., in his decision of 1746, designed that the 
point from which to run the three mile line should be 440 rods in a 
direct line from the mouth of the Fall River. They showed that in 
making these measurements as they had, the Rhode Island commis- 
sioners added to their State a thickly settled territory, with about 
fifteen hundred inhabitants, and a taxable property valued at nearly 
half a million of dollars ; when, if the measurements had been 
made in straight lines, not only would the designs of George II. and 
his commissioners have been carried out, but Fall River would have 
been brough^vitlun the bounds of one State, with no danger of its 



HISTORY OF FALI. RIVER, 71 

thickly settled territory being again placed under a divided jurisdic- 
tion. 

In consequence of facts and arguments presented by the Fall 
River petitioners, the Massachusetts legislature refused to ratify the 
decision of their commissioners. Soon after, in 1852, the two States 
filed bills of equity, thus transferring the question under dispute to 
the Supreme Court, agi'ceing to conform to whatever decision it 
should aiTive at. 

In 1860 the Supreme Court appointed engineers, with instructions 
to measure and mark a described line. This line in 1861 was estab- 
lished by the decree of that Court, as the true boundary between 
the two States, this decree to take effect in March, 1862. In its 
decision, the Court granted the full claim of neither State. Not 
professing to run the line in accordance with the decision of the 
King's commissioners of 1741, it placed it so as to give, as far as 
possible, an undivided jurisdiction to densely populated districts — as 
Fall River and Pawtucket, — without infringing upon the rights of 
either party. 

The boundary, as marked, passes between Fall River and Tiver- 
ton, and so far as respects the present boundary of the City of Fall 
River, is described as "crossing Mount Hope Bay to the westerly 
end of the line dividing Fall River and Tiverton, where the same 
intersects low water line of said Mount Hope Bay. Thence easterly, 
following said dividing line between Fall River and Tiverton, pass- 
ing tlii-ough the middle of ^ town way on the north side of a fami 
belonging to John Chase, and through the southerly end of Cook 
Pond to a line passing through the middle of a highway eight rods 
wide. Thence running southerly trough the centre of said eight 
rod highway, to a point in line with the stone wall on the northerly 
side of the farm of Edmund Estes. This wall is easterly of the 
Stafford road, so called. Thence running easterly in line with said 
wall to a point in line of highest water mark on the westerly shore 
of South Watuppa Pond. Thence southerly by line of highest 
water mark of said Watuppa Pond and of Sawdy Pond and of the 
streams connecting them to the most southerly end of Sawdy Pond, 
where it meets the line of the westerly side of the Town of Westport. 

By this change of boundary, Massachusetts acquires a territory 
the area of which is about eleven square miles. Of this about nine 
square miles, with a population of 3,593, and a taxable property 
of $1,948,378, are embraced within the limits of the City of Fall 
River. 



72 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 



THE GREAT FIRE OF 1843. 



Sunday, July 2d, •1843, will always be referred to by the inhabi- 
tants of this city, as a day on which occured one of the most me- 
morable events recorded in the history of Fall River. It furnishes 
a date from which incidents are often reckoned, and "before the 
fire" and "after the fire" are terms well understood and in common 
use among the people. The direct influence and effect of that event 
are seen and felt at the present time. The fire-bell never strikes 
without awakening a remembrance of the disastrous results which 
once followed such an alami ; and whether at mid-day or mid-night, 
the alarm is scarcely sounded before our firemen are at their posts, 
our steam and hand engines in Avorking order, and our streets filled 
with anxious and interested "lookers on." All this gives to our cit- 
izens a feeling of security which they could not have felt on that 
Sabbath afternoon when they were called from their places of wor- 
ship to arrest a great conflagration with a comparatively inefficient 
fire department. 

During a part of the day on which the* fire occun'cd, the mercmy 
stood at 90 '^ . Every thing was dry and parched, after a long 
drought ; the water was shut o^ from the stream, that labor might 
be performed in its channel ; and a high wind was blowing from the 
southwest, tending greatly to facilitate the progress of the flames. 
The alarm of fire was given at about 4 o'clock P. M. The confla- 
gration commenced near the corner of Main and Borden streets, in 
an open space in the rear of a large three-story warehouse occupied 
by Abner L. Westgate. This space was covered with shavings, 
which were kindled from the firing of a small cannon by two boys. 
The fire almost instantly communicated with the surrounding build- 
ings, and within five minutes the flames were rising apparently fifty 
feet high. Showei's of sparks and cinders, carried by the heavy 
wind, kindled many buildings before they were reached by the body 
of the fire. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 73 

The buildings on both sides of Main Street were soon burning, 
and the wind blowing nearly parallel with the street, all hope of con- 
trolling the flames and saving the business part of the village, was 
abandoned. So sudden were the movements of the flames, unex- 
pectedly rising in different localities, that in many cases all efforts to 
preserve property were ineffectual. 

The whole space between Main, Franklin, Eock and Borden 
streets was one vast sheet of fire, entirely beyond the control of man ; 
and had not the foe proved the ally, the destruction would have con- 
tinued until nearly the whole village was in ruins. The change in 
the direction of the wind was all that checked the flames. 

Man was powerless, and could only helplessly and with fear view 
the terrible scene. Awe as well as terror must have influenced the 
beholders, when to the crackling flames, the crash of falling timber, 
and the whistling of the wind, were added the lightning's flash and 
the thunder's deep roar. They looked upon their village in ruins, 
and felt that it must long bear the marks of this fearful calamity. 
They could not foresee that so terrible a catastrophe would warm 
into new life the industrial activities of the place, and that in eleven 
years Fall River would be numbered among the cities of the Com- 
monwealth. They did not dream that in ten years its population 
would be increased two«-thirds, and its taxable property doubled ; 
and that in twenty years, instead of running but thirty-two thous- 
and spindles in its representative business, almost two hundred thou- 
sand would be employed in manufacturing forty-five millions of yards 
of cloth. 

While Dr. Archer's house, on the southeast comer of Main and 
Franklin streets, was burning, the wind, which had been blowing 
from the southwest, suddenly changed to the northward, driving 
back the flames over the burnt district. The house of H. Battelle, 
Esq., on Purchase street, was the last building turned, and the only 
one north of Franklin street. It took fire at about ten o'clock P. 
M. While it was in flames, a vessel arrived at the wharf with an 
engine company from Bristol. The company immediately proceeded 
to Purchase street, and by their timely efforts saved the adjoining 
buildings and prevented the further progress of the flames. 

The conflagration had swept over nearly twenty acres of the cen- 
tral part of the village. After immediate danger was passed, the 
remaining dwellings were thrown open, and shelter and refreshment 



HISTORY OF FALI. RIVER. 



furnished to many houseless and exhausted people ; but a great num- 
ber passed the night in the open air. 

Soon after the fire, a committee was appointed, with instructions 
to obtain a correct list of those who had suffered, and of the 
amount of property destroyed. From the report published by this 
committee, it appears that the 

" No. of persons residing within the burnt district at 

the time of the fire, was 1,324 

No. of persons in addition, employed or doing busi- 
ness in the burnt district, but living out, about 600 

Buildings burned, 291 

Hotels, 2 

Churches, 3 

Cotton Factory, 1 

Carriage Factories, . . . . , 2 

Banks, 2 

Cabinet Warehouses, 3 

Marble Factory, 1 

Tannery, 1 

Livery Stables, 4 

Dry Goods Establishments, 17 

Clotliing " 11 

Grocery and Provision Establishments, including 

three or four Crockery Stores connected, 24 

Boot and Shoe Stores, 6 

Hat and Cap " 3 

Book and Periodical Stores, 3 

Hardware, 3 

Millinery Shops, 11 

Mantua Makers, 5 

Apothecaries, 6 

Jewelers, 3 

Harness Makers, 3 

Stove and Tinware, 3 

Brass Founderies, 2 

Blacksmith Shops, 3 

Machine " 2 

Carpenters' " 8 

Reed Makers' " 1 



HISTORY OF PALL RIVER. 75 

Shoe Makers' Shops, 7 

Plane Makers' Shop, 1 

Koll Covers " , 1 

Turners, 1 

Paint Shops, 8 

Butchers' Shops, 4 

Soap Boiler Shop, 1 

Cigar Factory, ^ 1 

Restaui'ateurs, 7 

Bake Houses, 2 

School House, 1 

School Eooms, beside, 3 

' Athenaeum, 1 

Custom House, 1 

Post Office, , 1 

Auction Room, 1 

Counting Rooms, 7 

Dentists' Offices, 2 

Stage Office, 1 

Printing Offices, 3 

Lawyers' " 5 

Physicians' " 5 

Barbers' Shops, 3 

" Whole Amount of Loss on Buildings, |264,470 

" " " Other Property, . . . 262,015 

Total Loss on both, $526,485 

Total Insurance on Buildings, $102,955 

" " Other Property, 74,020 

Whole Amount of Insurance, $176,975 

Excess of Loss over Insurance, $349,510" 

The day after the fire, a committee was appointed by the citizens 
to afford rehef to those who had suffered. This committee entered 
immediately upon their duties, and presented a circular which called 
forth so much sympathy and was so liberally responded to, that we 
quote it entire. 

Note. — All the merchandize shops in the place were destroyed, except some six 
or eight, (principally groceries) situated in the extreme parts of the village." 



76 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

CIRCULAR. 

" To their fellow-citizens, near and remote, both iu town and coun- 
try, the undersigned, a Committee in behalf of the people of Fall 
River, Mass., make this their brief appeal for help, amid the appall- 
ing calamity which, under the wise and righteous Providence of God, 
has overtaken us. 

Our population, from 8,000 to 9,000 souls, and chiefly devoted to 
manufacturing and mechanic pursuits, is in deep distress — a portion 
of it in pressing want. 

At 4 o'clock P. M., last Sabbath, the 2d inst., a fire broke out in 
a central part of this village, (the wind blowing a gale) which in its 
ravages was of the most desolating character. 

The burnt district comprises some fifteen or twenty acres of' the 
centre of business operations. 

Nearly 200 buildings (not including many small ones) are con- 
sumed ; among which are three newly built houses of pubUc wor- 
ship, and all our public offices. Our post office and custom house 
are gone, and we have not a printing office, nor hotel, nor bank 
building, nor book store, nor market, nor bakery left. Nearly all 
our grocery and provision stores, including one wholesale establish- 
ment, with most of their contents ; and aU our dry goods, druggist, 
tailor, milliner, tin wai'e, and paint shops, with one cotton factory, 
running 3,000 spindles, are gone. 

Nearly 200 families are turned houseless, and many of them pen- 
nyless into the street. 

Besides, this appalling fire raged with such fury, and spread with 
such velocity, that many of the suffi^rers gladly escaped with their 
lives, without a pillow for their heads, or a change of raiment for 
their backs. The amount of property consumed it is impossible to 
estimate, even by anything like a probable approximation. 

The assessors of the town, in the discharge of their official duties, 
within the last two months, have rated the property of the place at 
three and a half millions of dollars — and the heart of the village is in 
ashes. 

We cannot, we need not enlarge. 

We tell you in few words the simple, sad story of our calamity ; 
and with the scene of desolation before us, and the cries of distress 
around us, we ask your aid : — In behalf of our suffering neighbors, 
and in the name of humanity, and of our Heavenly Father, we ap- 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 77 

peal to your kindness and your love, and solicit your assistance ; 
not to repair our losses and rebuild our village, but to relieve our 
present distress, and enable us to give bread to the hungry, clothing to 
the naked, and shelter to the houseless ; until, with due effort on the 
part of all among us, a merciful and righteous God, wlio has justly 
afflicted us, shall command the hum of business, the smile of content- 
ment and the song of joy to return to our now desolate borders. 
Send us what you can send — food, clothing, money — send it ad- 
dressed to either of us, and it shall be carefully distributed to the 
needy. ' 

N. B. — Provisions or other articles by the way of Providence, 
Rhode Island, may be sent to the care of Capt. Thomas Borden, of 
the steamboat King Philip, which plies daily between that port and 
ours. 

Jervis Shove, David Anthony, 

Orin Fowler, Asa Bronson, 

John Eddy, Richard Borden, 

Jefferson Borden, William Brown, 
Enoch French, Joseph F. Lindsey, 

Committee. 
Fall River, Mass., July 4th, 1843. 

Prompt and generous donations of money, clothing and food were 
received in quantities sufficient to prevent immediate suffering. 

From Boston, were received $13,165 00 

" Providence, 1,700 00 

" New Bedford, 1,700 00 

" Cambridge, 1,000 00 

" One church in Charlestown, ....,,. 650 00 

" Pawtucket and vicinity, 637 00 

" The churches in Newburyport, 600 00 

" David S. Brown & Co., Philadelphia 250 00 

" Bristol, , 208 00 

" Dorchester, • 106 00 

" Tiffany Ward & Co., Baltimore, 100 00 

The whole amount of money received by the committee was 

$50,934 00. 



78 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 



ECCLESIASTICAL STATISTICS.* 



THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 

Of Fall River was organized in 178L The names of pastors who 
have officiated since 1840, are as follows: — Rev. Asa Bronson until 
1846. Rev. Velona R. Hotchkiss, D. D., from 1846 to 1850. 
Rev. A. P. Mason, D. D., from 1850 to 1853. Rev. J. R. Scott 
from 1853 to 1854 ; and Rev. P. B. Haughwout, the present pastor, 
since 1855. The number of communicants connected with the 
Church in 1861, was 323. Number of pupils connected with Sab- 
bath School, 275 ; average attendance of pupils, 176. 

In this connection, mention should be made of the second pastor 
of the Church, Rev. Job. Borden. One of his successore has fur- 
nished the following sketch : 

REV. JOB BORDEN. 

Among that noble band of Baptist ministers, hard-handed and 
stout-hearted, to whom the cause of evangelical religion, and in par- 
ticular, the Baptist representation of that cause, in this part of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, are so largely indebted, the ven- 
erable Job Borden holds an honorable and eminent place. 

He was a man of vigorous intellect ; unusually clear in his per- 
ceptions, and firm in his convictions ; yet void of narrow-minded- 
ness, and possessed of a generous and catholic spirit ; a man worthy 
to be classed with those whose earnest faith and self-denying labors 
have won, from the gratitude and affection of the church, the title of 
" Fathers in Israel." 

In his early manhood, and before he assumed the office of a cluistian 
ministei-, he was afflicted with the total loss of his eye-sight. And 
thenceforward, through his long and unusually active life, in all that 
he accomplished, his effi^rts were subject to the painful drawback 
and hindrance of this grievous calamity. Deprived of those advan- 

*For statistics previous to 1840, see pp. 45-56. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 79 

tages which our schools and colleges confer ; shut out, by his blind- 
ness, from the ordinary sources of knowledge, save as they were 
opened to him by the kindness of those around him ; compelled by 
his circumstances to depend mainly upon the labor of his own hands 
for the support of his family ; required, by the exigencies of the 
time, and the feeble and widely scattered membership of the church, 
to travel from place to place, and visit fi'om house to house, preach- 
ing at all seasons and as opportunities arose ; it is surprising to us 
that he contrived, in the face of so many obstacles, and under such 
discouraging embarrassments, to acquire a knowledge of the Scrip- 
tures, and a readiness and expertness in the use of it, which were 
deemed remarkable by his cotemporaries, and which, together with 
the natural force and quickness of his mind, called forth the homely 
but honest encomium of the historian Bacchus : — " He is blind, in- 
deed, as to natural sight, but he hath such spiritual light as to be 
esteemed a clear preacher of the gospel." 

There are are some among us who still recall the figure of this de- 
voted and laborious servant of Christ, as he went about in his later 
years, riding upon his old white horse, which, like John Wesley's 
famous itinerant, had learned to travel, with unerring sagacity, all 
the rounds of his master. 

Father Borden was the first pastor of the Baptist church in Free- 
town, and continued in that office for forty-two years. And although 
his decaying strength, and the weight of his many years, made it 
necessary that the church should summon the aid of other and 
younger pastors, yet nothing was done to break or impair his tenure 
of office ; and he remained as a Pastor Emeritus, and prolonged the 
labors of his earlier. years until God called him to his reward. He 
was tAvice married, and his widow, who was a school-teacher at the 
time of her marriage, and who seems to have devoted herself to her 
husband, and labored to compensate for his great misfortune, in 
an unusual degree, is still living, in a green old age, among the chil- 
dren of those who listened with her to the sound doctrine and per- 
suasive counsel of her husband.* 

*A very good portrait of Father Borden, the generous gift of his widow, hangs 
upon the walls of the Committee-room, in the First Baptist Church. The remains 
of father Borden, with those of his first wife, repose in a small grave-yard near the 
"Narrows," on the site of the first house of worship erected by the church. 



80 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 



TUB FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

Was organized January 9, 1816. The names of those who have 
been pastors subsequent to 1840, are, Rev. Orin Fowler, dismissed 
in May, 1850.- Rev. Benjamin Relyea, installed in May, 1850, dis- 
missed in April, 1856. Rev. J. Lewis Diman, ordained in Decem- 
ber, 1856, dismissed in February, 1860. Rev. Solomon P. Fay, 
the present pastor, installed in May, 1861. The membersliip of the 
church in 1861, was 204. Number of pupils connected with the 
Sabbath School, 250. Average attendance of pupils, 150. 

A SOCIETY OF FRIENDS 

Was organized about the year 1817. In 1844, a division took 
place among the members. A part removed to their meeting house 
on Franklin street, and the others continued to worship in their 
building on Main street. The former have no regularly appointed 
minister. In 1861, they numbered 70 members. The Society 
which worships on Main street, had in 1861, 115 members. The 
number of scholars connected with their Sabbath School \s 45 ; ave- 
rage attendance, 32. 

THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Was organized in June, 1827. The names of pastors who have 
officiated since 1840 are given, with date of their ordination : — 
1840, Rev. Isaac Bonney ; 1842, Rev. Thomas Ely; 1844, Rev. 
George F. Pool; 1845, Rev. James D. Butler; 1847, Rev. David 
Patten; 1849, Rev. Daniel Wise; 1851, Rev. Frederic Upham ; 
1853, Rev. Elisha B. Bradford; 1855, Rev. Jolin Howson ; 1857, 
Rev. Thomas Ely ; 1859, Rev. Andrew McKeown ; 1861, Rev. 
Chas. H. Payne, the present pastor. The membership of the church 
in 1861, was 252. Number of pupils connected with Sabbath 
School, 450 ; average attendance, 280. 

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 

Was organized in the year 1829. The names of pastors who have 
been installed since 1840, are : Rev. P. R. Russell, installed Jan- 
uary, 1841. Rev. A. M. Averill, March, 1843. Rev. Elijah Shaw, 
March, 1845. Rev. Charles Morgi'idge, April, 1847. Rev. Stephen 



mSTOEY OF FALL EIVER. 81 

Fellows, June, 1848. Kev. David E. Millard supplied the pulpit 
six months. Rev. B. S. Fanton, January, 1853. Eev. Warren 
Hathaway, installed March, 1855 ; dismissed October, 1860. There 
has been no settled pastor since 1860. The membership of the 
Church in 1861, was 280. Increase of membersMp since 1840, 
259. Number of scholars connected with Sabbath School, 215 ; 
average attendance, 151. 

THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH 

Was organized in 1832. The names of pastors who have been or- 
dained since 1840, are : Rev. John F. W. Ware, ordained in May, 
1843. Rev. Samuel Longfellow, in February, 1848. Rev. Josiah 
K. Waite, in September, 1852. Rev. W. B. Smith, the present 
pastol", January, 1860. The number of communicants connected 
with the Church in 1861, was 50. The number of families con- 
nected with the Society is 126. Number of pupils connected with 
Sabbath School is 173; average attendance, 110. In 1860, the 
church located on Second street was taken down, and a portion of 
the old materials used in the erection of the present house of wor- 
ship, on North Main street. 

THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION 

Was organized in 1836. The Rev. George M. Randall entered upon 
his duties as pastor, July, 1838, but was not installed rector until 
1840. The Rev. Amos D. McCoy succeeded him in 1845, and re- 
mained a little over two years. In 1849, the present incumbent, 
Rev. E. M. Porter, entered upon his duties as rector. The number 
of communicants connected with the Church in 1861, was 112. 
Number of Scholars connected with Sabbath School, about 300 ; 
average attendance, 208. 

In 1850, the Society suffered a severe loss in the destruction of its 
church edifice by fire ; but after more than a year of exertions on 
the part of the parish, and with assistance from abroad, they were 
enabled to erect the small but tasteful structure in which they now 
worship. 

SAINT MARY'S CHURCH, 

{Roman CatJwlic,) 

Was established in 1836. The first name was St. John Baptist, 
which was changed upon the occupation of their new cathedral in 



82 HISTORY OF FALL RIVEK. 

1855. The corner stone of this cathedral was laid by the Right 
Rev. Fitzpatric, Bishop of Boston, August 8, 1852. The dimen- 
sions of the structure are 67 feet by 150. It is built in the Gothic 
style, and of uncut gi*anite. The first pastor of the church was 
Rev. John Corfy ; second pastor. Rev. Richard Hardy ; third pas- 
tor, the present incumbent, Rev. E. Murphy, appointed April, 1840. 

THE CENTRAL CHURCH, 

( Congregational, ) 

Was organized November IG, 1843. Rev. Samuel "Washburn, the 
first pastor, was installed April 24, 1844, and dismissed January 2, 
1849. Rev. Eli Thurston, the present pastor, was installed March 

21, 1849. The whole number received into the church since its or- 
ganization is 39G, of whom 195 were received upon profession. 
There have been dismissed to other churches 96, 52 have died, a 
number have been excommunicated, leaving 232 as the present mem- 
bership. The number of scholars in the Sabbath School is 260. 
Average attendance 173. 

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, 

Worshipping in the Baptist Temple on South Main street, was or- 
ganized in June, 1846 by 157 persons, mostly from the First Bap- 
tist Church in this city. Rev. Asa Bronson was the first pastor, and 
remained in this office until October, 1857. 

Revivals of religion have signally marked the history of this church. 
The aggregate increase during the fifteen years of its history has 
been 433, of which about 300 have been by baptism. The decrease 
in the same period has been 281. The present number is 309. The 
Sabbath School numbers 350, with an average attendance, the past 
year, of 245. 

Rev. Charles Snow, the present pastor of this church, was oi'- 
dained and installed July 7, 1858. 

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Was organized in 1846. The number of members at that time was 

22. For five years after the organization there was no stated pas- 
tor, and only occasional religious service. The first pastor, Rev. 
David A. Wallace, was installed June, 1851 ; the second, and pres- 
ent pastor. Rev. William Maclaren, in November, 1854. 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVEK. 



According to the last annual report, dated May, 18G1, the num- 
ber of church members was 140, and the number of families, 110. 
The whole congregation numbers about 400. The number of schol- 
ars connected with the Sabbath School is 150. 

The place of worship on Pearl street was purchased by the Soci- 
ety in 1849. Aided efficiently by the influence and eiforts of their 
present pastor, they completed the payment of the church debt in 
June, 1861, and they now own their commodious aud substantial 
church edifice and the ground connected with it, free of all incum- 
brance. 

ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Was organized Api'il 20, 1851. The names of its pastors since that 
time, with date of their installation, are : — 1851, Rev. Daniel Wise ; 
1853, Rev. John Hobart ; 1855, Rev. M. J. Talbot ; 1857, R«v. 
Samuel C. Brown ; 1859, Rev. J. B. Gould ; 1861, Rev. J. A. 
M. Chapman, the present pastor. The membership of the church 
in 1861 was 220, being an increase since 1851 of 120. Number of 
scholars connected with the Sabbath School, 270 ; average attend- 
ance, 225. 

CHRIST'S CHURCH, 

At Globe VUlage, was organized in 1849, and its house of worship 
dedicated in 1850. Tliere were no pastors installed. Rev. S. S. 
Ashly, Rev. Mr. Harmon and Rev. Mr. Cummins, supplying the 
pulpit until 1854, when the church was disbanded, and their house 
purchased by the Rev. David Patten, for the use of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Was organized in the autumn of 1854. The names of pastors who 
have been connected with it since that time, are, Rev. A. H. Worth- 
ing; Rev. C. A. Merrill; Rev. A. U. Swinerton; Rev. Elihu Grant, 
the present pastor. The membership of the church in 1861 was 34. 
Average attendance at the Sabbath School, 150. 

THE CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM 

Was organized in November, 1854, by the Rev. Thomas Worcester, 
of Boston. It then consisted of seven members. The present num- 



84 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

ber is thirteen. It has no pastor, but its services are conducted by 
a leader, who is annually elected by the Society. It has ministerial 
services four times a year, usually, and sometimes oftener. 

The average attendance at its meetings is between 30 and 40 
persons. The average attendance at the Sabbath School is 26. The 
meetings are held in the room foiTnerly occupied by the Young Men's 
Christian Association on Main street. 

Ml-. John Westall has been the leader and conductor of the ser- 
vices in this clim'ch, from its organization to the present time. 



According to these statistics the total number of communicants 
connected Avith the various churches is 2,341, and the total number 
of pupils in Sabbath Schools, 2,918. 



MISSION SCHOOLS. 



In 1816 our town was a vineyard of the Mas.sachusetts Home 
Missionary Society, into which she sent laborers, to toil and sow the 
seed of christian doctrine and teaching. The seed soon sprung up, 
and under the culture of the vine-di'essers, the dews of the spirit, and 
the showers of grace, became a strong and spreading vine, shedding 
the sweet fragrance of Christianity here and there, and gladdening 
the hearts of the laborers with large clusters of heavenly fruit. 

Many churches were subsequently established here, strong in the 
faith of the Lord Jesus, which, in their turn, send forth men and 
money for the culture of other vineyards. 

From time to time branches of domestic missionary effort have 
been shooting out from this vine. Perhaps the one most worthy of 
notice was that which appeared in the spring of 1853, called, "The 
Fall River Domestic Missionary Society. " This Society had for its 
object "the diffusion of i*eligious knowledge among the destitute in 
Fall River and vicinity, by the employment of one or more mission- 
aries to labor from house to house, and by the distribution of Bibles, 
Tracts, and reUgious books. " It cliose for its missionary Mr. Thomas 



HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 85 

Boardman, who labored under its patronage with devotion and ac- 
ceptance, about four years and a half. 

This effort in the form of a Society continued five years. Eich- 
ard Borden, Benjamin Earl, Elihu Grant, and Jeremiah Young, 
acted successively as Presidents. 

A Ladies' Society was fonned, auxiliary to this, in the summer of 
1853, for the purpose of supplying clothing for Sabbath School chil- 
dren. It continued in existence nearly six years, and gave out hun- 
dreds of garments to destitute childi'en. Under the auspices of these 
societies, and the labors of the missionary, three Sabbath Schools 
were sustained. One which had been commenced in the summer of 
1851, by two or three ladies in a private room, and afterwards trans- 
feri'ed to the vestry of the Central Church, was organized as a Union 
School. Two others were commenced — one in the south-west part 
of the town, and one at New Boston. These schools continued theii- 
operations after the societies were dissolved. 

In connection with the first mentioned school a Sabbath School 
Society was organized May 28th, 1854, called, "The FallKiver Mis- 
sion Sabbath School Society," which controls its affairs. At a meet- 
ing held May 28, 1860, a committee was appointed to relieve the 
school from embarrassment in regard to a place for holding its ses- 
sions, and authorized to provide a place free of expense to the Society. 

Through the benevolent assistance of the friends of the school, 
they offered to the Society the use of the chapel on Pleasant street, 
which they entered February, 1861. "* 

In June, 1859, the First Baptist Church assumed the care of the 
school in the south-west part of the city, and a chapel was built on 
Spring street, for its use, which they entered in June, 1861. At 
the present time, 1862, there are connected with the several schools 
as follows : 
Fall River Mission Sabbath School, Pleasant street Chapel ; 

Superintendents and teachers, 41 ; scholars, 438. 
First Baptist Mission Sabbath School, Spring street Chapel ; 

Superintendents and teachers, 22 ; scholai-s, 167. 
New Boston Mission Sabbath School ; 

Supermtendents and teachers, 12 ; scholars, 90. 
Three other Mission Schools sustained in suburbs of the city ; 

Superintendents and teachers, 20 ; scholars, 150. 
Total — Superintendents and teachers, 95 ; scholars 845. 



86 



IIISTOKY OF FALL RIVER. 



MANUFACTORIES. —COTTON MILLS. 



The following statistics show, as nearly as can be obtained, tlie 
present extent of the cotton business in this city : 



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HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 87 



In 1812 there were in Massachusetts but twenty cotton mills, with 
17,371 spindles. In 1813 the first mill built in Fall River (see page 
31) commenced operations with 896 spindles. 

In 1840 there were eight mills, with 32,084 spindles, and 1,042 
looms, (page 32). 

THE AMERICAN LINEN C0:MPANY. 

The American Linen Company was established in 1852, with a 
capital of $350,000, for the purpose of manufacturing, on a large 
scale, the finer linen fabrics. They erected buildings of stone — a 
ftictory 300 feet by 63, four stories high, with store and heckling 
house 150 feet by 48 ; a bleach house 176 feet by 75, and a finish- 
ing building 176 feet by 45, three stories high, with 10,500 spindles 
and 300 looms. 

In the spring of 1853, they sent their first productions into the 
market. These consisted of blay linens, coating and pantaloon 
linen, sheetings, pillow and table linen, hucabuc and damask towel- 
ing, crash and diaper, which were highly approved by the trade. 
But before the mill was in full operation, the demand for such goods 
as the Company proposed to manufacture almost entirely ceased, for 
the reason that cotton and thin woolen fabrics were very generally 
substituted for linen goods. On this account it was determined, in 
the year 1858, to remove the machinery from the main mill into the 
outer buildings, and substitute machinery for the manufacture of 
cotton printing cloths. Another story was added to the mill, and 
31,500 spindles, and 700 looms were set up. 

The Company still retain, of their linen machinery, 3,500 spin- 
dles and 150 looms, which consume 400 tons of flax per year, and 
produce 1,500,000 yards of hucabuc, toweling, crash and diaper, 
and give employment to 200 operatives. 

THREAD MILLS. 

A Thread Mill was estabUshed in 1838, by Oliver Chace. It was 
sold to the present proprietor, Benjamin A. Chace, in January, 1862. 
The capital employed is $125,000. Number of operatives in the 
mill, 200. Number of spindles, 7,000. Nine hundred pounds of 
cotton are used, and 800 pounds of thread manufactured per day. 
The works are driven by one water wheel and two steam engines. ' 



88 UISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

J. M. Davis' Tlu'eatl Mill is situated in what was foraierly Fall 
River, R. I. In this mill the tln-ead is spooled, but not manufac- 
tui-ed. 

WAMSUTTA STEAM WOOLEN Mn.L. 

Began the manufacture of woolen goods in 1849. The mill con- 
tains six cards, with thirty-six looms, manufacturing 150,000 yards 
of fancy cassimeres per annum, from 150,000 lbs. of wool. The 
number of persons employed is about 100. The machinery is driven 
by an engine of sixty horse power. 



I. Buffinton & Son are owners of a Cotton Batt Manufactory, at 
Sucker Brook. They use about 1,500 bales of cotton per year. 



Augustus Chace is proprietor of a Yarn, Wicking and Batt Man- 
ufactory at Mount Hope Village. 



PRINT WORKS. 



THE AMERICAN PRINT WORKS 



Was established in 1834. The number of yards printed per annum 
is 15,000,000. Number of persons employed is 275. Tlie works 
are driven by water power and three steam engines of about 350 
horse power. 



THE BAY STATE PRINT WORKS 



Are now leased to the American Print Works Co. They print 
11,000,000 yards of cloth per annum, and employ 200 persons. 
Motive power, one steam engine. 



HISTORY OP FALL KIVEE. 89 



FALL RIVER IRON WORKS. 



The Fall River Iron Works Company was incorporated in 1825, 
with a capital of $200,000, which capital, in 1845, was increased 
to its present amount, $1,000,000. The works are carried on in 
three buildings — a Rolling Mill, Nail Mill, and Foundry. 

The Rolling Mill is 412 feet in length and 100 in breadth. The 
Nail Mill is 226 feet in length and 44 in breadth. 

The machinery in the RoUing Mill is driven by one water wheel 
and three steam engines ; in the Nail Mill by one steam engine. 
The number of puddling and heating furnaces is 24. Number of 
tons of coal consumed per annum, 12,000. Amount of pig iron 
worked, 6,000 tons; of scrap, 4,000; 'of bloom and billet, 300. 
Number of tons of castings produced, 1,500 ; of hoop and bar iron 
rods, &c., 3,000. 

There are 106 nail machines, which manufacture 112,000 kegs of 
nails per annum. When in fuU operation, the mills require 600 
workmen. 



THE FALL RIVER GAS COMPANY 



Commenced operations in 1847. The works are owned by the Fall 
River Iron Works Co., and consume about 1,000 tons of coal per 
annum. 



FLOUR MILLS. 



THE MASSASOIT FLOUR BOLLS 

Use eight runs of stone — six for flour and two for feed ; manufac- 
ture 200 bbls. of flcrtir daily, and employ about twenty hands. 
They turn out several qualities of flour, the brand of the best being 
Massasoit. The machinery is driven by an engine of 250 horse 
|K)wer. The mills were established in 1852, and are owned by 
Messrs. S. A. Chace and E. C. Nason. 

M 



90 HISTORY OP I'^ALL RIVER. 

THE BRISTOL COUNTY FLOUR JIILLS 

Were established in 1852. They use 4 runs of stone, manufacture 
80 barrels flour daily, and employ 12 hands. Bi-istol County is the 
brand of their best grade of flour. The motive power is an engine 
of 120 horse power. D. A. Br ay ton proprietor. 



THE FALL RIVER FLOUR MILLS 

Were established in 18C1 ; use 3 runs of stone; manufacture 25 
barrels flour and 300 bags meal daily, and employ 5 hands. Brand 
of flour. Fall Kiver MiU. Motive power, one engine of 40 horse 
power. D. Brown & Son proprietors. 



MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS. 



BANKS. 



THE FALL RIVER UNION BANK 



Was incorporated in 1823, with a nominal capital of $200,000 — 
the same amount as at the present time. The President is Nath'l 
B. Borden, elected in 1845. The President preceding him was 
David Durfee. The Cashier is D. A. Chapin, elected in 1860, the 
successor of Wm. Coggeshall. 

THE FALL RIVER BANK 

Was incorporated in 1825, with a capital of $100,000. The pres- 
ent capital is $350,000. David Anthony has been President of the 
Bank since its establishment, and H. H. Fish, Cashier since 1836. 

THE FALL RIVER INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS 

Was incorporated in 1828. In 1850 the name was changed to 
Fall River Savings Bank. The President from 1828 to 1857, was 
Micah H. Kuggles ; from 1857 to the present time, Nathaniel B. 



HISTORY OP FALL RIVER. 91 

Borden. Treasurer since 1836, J. F. Lindsey. The number of 
depositors, according to the last annual report, was 5,710. The 
amount on deposite, $1,759,745. 

THE MASSASOrr BANK 

Was incorporated in 1846, with a capital of $100,000. The pres- 
ent capital is $200,000. Jason H. Archer was President from 1846 
to 1852. Israel Buffinton from 1852 to the present time. Cashier 
since 1840, Leander Borden. 

THE SAVINGS BANK 

Was incorporated in October, 1851. In that year Joseph Osborn 
was chosen President, and Wm. H. Brackett Treasurer, and they 
have held those offices to the present date. Number of depositors in 
February, 1862, was 1,439. Amount on deposite, $694,767. 

THE METACOMET BANK 

Was incorporated in 1853, with a capital of $400,000, which is 
now increased to $600,000. The Bank organized with Jefferson 
Boi'den, President, and A. S. Tripp, Cashier, which gentlemen have 
been continued in office to the present time. 

THE POCASSET BANK 

Was incorporated in May, 1854, with a capital of $200,000, the 
same amount as at the present date. Oliver Chace was President 
from June, 1854, to January, 1862, when Samuel Hathaway was 
elected to that office. Wm. H. Brackett has held the office of Cash- 
ier from June, 1854, to the present time. 

THE FALL RIVER FIVE CENT'S SAVINGS BANK 

Was incorporated January, 1856, with the same President and 
Treasurer as now hold office, S. A. Chace and C. J. Holmes. The 
number of depositors is 2,450. Amount on deposite, $160,000. 

THE WAMSUTTA BANK 

Was incorporated in October, 1856, with the same capital as at the 
present time, $100,000. S. A. Chace has held the office of Presi- 
dent, and C. J. Holmes that of Cashier, since the organization of 
the Bank. 



92 - HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

OLD COLONY AND FALL RIVEE 

RAIL ROAD COaiPANY. 



On the 21st of March, 1844, a chai-ter was obtained for buildmg 
a rail road from Fall River to Myricks, and in June of the following 
year the first passenger train was run over the completed FaU River 
railway. In December, 1846, the route was opened as far as South 
Braintree, there connecting with the Old Colony I'oad to Boston. 

Through travel from Boston to New York by way of Fall River, 
commenced in May, 1847. In 1854, the two corporations — the Old 
Colony and the Fall River rail roads — were united under the name 
of the Old Colony and Fall River Rail Road Company. Their cap- 
ital was then, and is at the present time, ^3,015,100. 

In 1861, a charter was obtained for extending the Old Colony 
and Fall River Rail Road through the city to the Rhode Island line. 
A charter was previously obtained from the Rhode Island Genraal 
Assembly, to construct a road from Newport to this point. The 
road from Fall River to Newport is in process of construction at the 
present time. 



THE BAY STATE STEAMBOAT COMPANY 



Was incorporated in 1849, with a capital of $300,000. Richard 
Borden has held the office of President, and James S. Warner, the 
offices of Clerk and Treasurer, since the organization of the Com- 
pany. The first boats that connected with the Fall River Rail Road, 
on the route between Boston and New York, were the Massachu- 
setts and Bay State. These began running in May, 1847. The 
Empire State was placed on the route in June, 1848, and the Me- 
tropolis in 1855. The Company now own the Metropolis, of 2,108 
tons, length of deck 340 feet ; the Empire State, of 1,598 tons, 
length of deck 320 feet ; the Bay State, of 1,554 tons, length of 
deck 320 feet ; and the State of Maine, of 806 tons, length of deck 
237 feet. 

CUSTOM HOUSE. 



The following statistics, compared with those given on page 34, 
will show the variation in the commerce of this place since 1840. 



HISTOKY OP PAIX RIVEK, 



93 



The number of vessels owned in the District of Fall River in 
1850, was 85 ; in 1860, 123. 

Tonnage of the District in 1850, 11,312 tons ; in 18G0, 14,204 
tons. 

In 1850, the number of vessels employed in the whale fishery was 
3, with a total tonnage of 865 tons ; in 1860, 2 vessels ; tonnage, 
493. 

Number of seamen employed in the District in 1850, was 500; 
in 1860, 518. 

Number of foreign entries in 1850, was 39 ; in 1860, 15. 

American tonnage entered from foreign countries in 1850, 3,179 ; 
141 1860, 1,446. 

Amount of coal imported in 1850, 7,844 tons ; in 1860, 2,771. 

No iron has been imported since 1850. 

Amount of duties collected in 1850, $5,435 ; in 1860, |1,928. 

In 1850, there were owned in the port of Fall River, 40 vessels, 
with a total tonnage of 8,816 tons ; in 1860, 61 vessels, with a 
tonnage of 14,204 tons. 



POPULATION AND VALUATION 
OF FALL RIVER. 







VALUATION, 


YEAR. 


POPULATION. 


EEAL AND PERSONAL. 


1840 


6,738 


$2,989,468 


1845 


10,290 


5,698,740 


1850 


11,170 


7,423,665 


1855 


12,740 


9,768,420 


1860 


13,240 


11,522,650 


1862 


17,262 





Increase of population obtained in March, 1862, by change of Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island Boundary, 3,593. 



94 



IIISTOIIY OF FALL RIVER. 



NUMBEE OF DEATHS AND BIRTHS 
IN EACH YEAR SUBSEQUENT TO 1845. 



YEARS. 


DEATHS 


BIRTHS 


YEARS. 


DEATHS 


BIRTHS 


YEARS. 


DEATHS 


BIRTHS 


1846 


209 


382 


1851 


179 


317 


1856 


401 


497 


1847 


186 


403 


1852 


220 


411 


1857 


436 


504 


1848 


218 


364 


1853 


381 


420 


1858 


301 


507 


1849 


167 


342 


1854* 


451 


315 


1859 


329 


517 


1850 


176 


309 


1855 


326 


322 


1860 
1861 


373 

468 


505 
532 



*The cholera made its appearance in this city on the 24th of August, 1854, and 
continued its ravages until October 5th, of the same year — a period of six weeks, — 
during which time one hundred and nineteen persons died of the disease. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 





m 


22 








JS 


m'o 


T3 




DATE. 


O 
1 

o 


§•2.1 


s-l 


.2 

aj2 


DATE. 


o 

XI 

o 


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+3 a> 


55. 
a2£ 




d 




3^ 


p. 

< 




6 


§2-2 


a 


a. 
ft 

< 


1843 


19 


1943 


$5213 


$255 


1853 


25 


2658 


$11724 


$551 


1844 


24 


2135 


4762 


270 


1854 


26 


2761 


12979 


625 


1845 


21 


2372 


5538 


309 


1855 


27 


2718 


13479 


662 


1846 


22 


2727 


6119 


392 


1856 


31 


2738 


14905 


603 


1847 


21 


2611 


6900 


421 


1857 


31 


2880 


14467 


556 


1848 


21 


2786 


9140 


455 


1858 


30 


2833 


16084 


612 


1849 


26 


2834 


9629 


448 


1859 


31 


2781 


16038 


594 


1850t 


26 


2502 


10179 


453 


1860 


31 


2855 


17122 


584 


1851 


26 


2510 


10930 




1861 


32 


3221 


17552 


585 


1852 


27 


2477 


11403 


539 













.*0n and after 1850, the Committee numbered only those between the ages of five 
and fifteen ; previously they included all between four and sixteen. 

tin this year the High School was established. George B. Stone was its Princi- 
pal until May, 1855 ; from that time until August, 1858, James B.Pearson; and 
since 1858, Charles B. GofF. 



CITY LIBRARY^ 

In 1860, arrangements were made by the City Government for 
the establishment of a free circulating library, and an appropriation 
was made for that object, and a room prepared in the City Building 
for the reception of books. According to agreement, the Ubrary of 



HISTORY OF FALL KIVEE. 



95 



the Fall Eiver Athenteum (pp. 38) was transfen-ed to this room, and 
placed, with certain restrictions, at the disposal of the government. 
The books thus contributed were valued at $3,000. 

The library was opened for circulation May 1, 18G1. From the 
Librarian's report of January 13, 1862, it appears that there were 
received from the Athena3um, 2,362 volumes ; by donation, 229 ; 
by purchase, 541 ; total, 3,132.t Number of magazines and papers 
received, 15. Average number of books circulated per day, 90. 
Number of volumes delivered from May 1, 1861, to May 1, 1862, 
30,252. 

The officers of the library are : — Trustees, E. P. Buffinton, Henry 
Lyon, Walter Paine, 3d, P. W. Leland, Simeon Borden, Samuel 
M. Brown, and C. J. Holmes. Librarian, George A. Ballard. 



NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 





'6 




-c 






0) 




.S 




TITLE OF PAPER. 


1 


ISSUED. 


o 
o 

OS 

s 


Editors or Publishers. 


Fall Kiver Monitor, 




. 


1825 


Weekly. 


1861 


( Nathan Hall to 1829, Benj.Earl 
\ to 1836, Henry Pratt to 1861. 


Moral Envoy, 






1830 


11 


1831 


George W. Allen. 


Weekly Recorder, 






1832 




1836Noel A. Tripp. 


Fall River Patriot, 






1837 


" 


1840,William Cantield. 


Archetype, . - 






1841 


u 


1842 Louis Lapham & Thos. Almy. 


Fall River Gazette, 






184'2 


" 


1842 Abraham Bowen. 


The Argus, . . 






1842 


(( 


1843 Jonathan Slade & Thos. Almy. 


The Wampanoag, 






1842 


Serai-Mo. 


1842 Frances Harriet Whipple. 


All Sorts, . . 






1841 


Weekly. 


1860 Abraham Bowen. 


The Mechanic, 






1844 


" 


1845 Thomas Almy. 
* Thos. Almy & John C. Milne. 


Weekly News, 




. 'l845 


a 


Mass. Musical Journa 


I, 


. tl855 


Semi-Mo. 


1856 E. Tourjee. 


The Key Note, . 




. 


1855 


" 


1856 


i( 


Evening Star, 






1857 


Daily. 


1858 


Noel A. Tripp & B. W. Pierce. 


The Beacon, . . 






1858 


" 


1859 


Noal A. Tripp. 


The Daily News, . 






1859 


u 


* 


Thos. Almy and John C. Milne. 


The People's Press, 






1859 


Semi-W'ly 


* 


Noel A. Tripp. 



Those marked thus * are still continued. 



SHOPS, STORES, &c. 

The number of shops and stores in Fall River in 1861, was about 
400. There were 5 Apothecaries, 22 Boot and Shoe dealers and 
makers, 6 Printers, 4 Carriage builders, 18 Dry Goods merchants, 
64 Grocers, 13 Physicians, and 6 Watch makers and Jewelers. 

tSince this report was published, 240 volumes have been added to the Library- 
making the total, at the present time. 4,372. 



96 HISTORY OF FALL RIVER. 

LIST OF PERSONS 

who have filled the several to^vn offices na5ied 

Since 1840. 

Town Clerk. — Benjamin Earl from 1836 to 1846. George Baker from 
1846 to 1848. Samuel B. Hussey from 1848 to 1852. John R. Hodges 
in 1852 and 1853. 

SELECTMEN. 

1840 — Nathaniel B. Borden, Israel Anthony, William Read. 

1841 — Matthew C. Durfee, Israel Anthony, William Read. 

1842 — Jervis Shove, Stephen K. Crary, George Brightman. 

1843 — Jervis Shove, Israel Anthony, Perez Mason. 

1844 — Thomas D. Chaloner, Israel Anthony, Perez Mason. 

1845 — Thomas D. Chaloner, Israel Anthony, Perez Mason. 

1846 — Israel Anthony, Leander Borden, James M. Morton. 

1847 — Azariah Shove, Israel Anthony, Benjamin Earl. 

1848 — Benjamin Wardwell, Israel Anthony, Benjamin Earl. 

1849 — Thomas J. Pickering, David Perkins, Benjamin Earl. 

1850 — David Perkins, Thomas J. Pickering, Daniel Brown. 

1851 — Thomas J.Pickering, James BufRnton, Daniel Brown. 

1852 — James Buffinton, Chester W. Greene, Geo. O. Fairbanks, Azariah 

Shove, Leander Borden. 
1853 — James Buffinton, Chester W. Greene, Thomas T. Potter, George 

O. Fairbanks, Azariah Shove. 

GENERAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

1840 — Orln Fowler, Asa Bronson, James Ford, Eliab Williams, Joseph 
Lindsey, Jonathan S. Thompson, George M. Randall. 

1841 — Joseph Lindsey, William H. A. Crary, George M. Randall. 

1842— George M. Randall, William H. A. Crary, John Westall. 

1843— George M. Randall, William H. A. Crary, John Westall. 

1844 — Henry Willard, Joseph F. Lindsey, Jonathan Slade, Louis Lapham, 
John. Gregory. 

1845 — William H. A. Crary, David Perkins, Samuel B. Hussey. 

1846 — William H. A. Crary, Charles Aldrich, Samuel Washburn. 

1847— William H. A. Crary, David Perkins, Charles Aldrich. 

1848— Charles Aldrich, George O. Fairbanks, P. W. Hathaway. 

1849 — George O. Fairbanks, Henry Willard, Samuel Longfellow. 



HISTORY OF FALL IlIVER, 97 

1850 — George O. Fairbanks, Samuel Longfellow, Henry Willard, Eli 
Thurston, Jason H. Archer, Thomas Wilbur, Jesse Eddy. 

1851 — Samuel Longfellow, Jesse Eddy, Eli Thurston, Emery M. Porter, 
Azariah S. Tripp, Robert T. Davis. 

1852— Azariah- S. Tripp, Eli Thurston, James M. Aldrich, David A. Wal- 
lace, Jerome Dwelly. 

1853— David A. Wallace, Eli Thurston, James M. Aldrich, Azariah S. 
Tripp, Jerome Dwelly, Job G. Lawton, Benjamin H, Davis. 

1854— Eli Thurston, James M. Aldrich, Azariah S. Tripp, Jerome Dwelly, 
Benjamin H. Davis, Job G. Lawton. 



CITY GOVERNMENT, 



In the month of January, 1854, the inhabitants of the town of 
Fall River appointed a committee, consisting of nine individuals, to 
draft a City Charter. This committee prepared and presented a 
Charter, which was accepted, with some amendments, at a meeting 
of the towns-people, on the eighteenth of February ; 124 voting for 
and 51 against it. The same committee was authorized to apply 
to the Legislature for an act of incorporation for a City Government. 

The Charter, as accepted by the town, was passed by the Legisla- 
ture. April 11, 1854, the Senate voted it to be engrossed. April 
12, the governor affixed his signature, and it became a law, making 
Fall River the thirteenth City incorported by the State of Massa- 
chusetts. 

April 23, in town meeting, the Charter was accepted, 529 votes 
being cast for and 247 against it. 

This Charter provided for the annual election on the fii'st Monday 
in March, of City Officers ; consisting of a Mayor, and one Alder- 
man and three Common Councilmen from each of the six wards into 
which the city was to be divided ; this Government to be organized 
on the first Monday in April. But by an amendment of the Charter 
in 1860, the time of election and organization was changed to De- 
cember and January, three months earlier. 



98 IIISTOKY Oh- FALL RIVKK. 

Since the incorporation of the City, the following persons have 
been elected to fill its several offices : 



CITY CLERK. 

John R. Hodges, from 1854 to 1855, and Alvin S. Ballard, from 1855 to 
the present time. 

MAYOR. 



James Buffinton, from 1854 to November, 1855, when he resigned, and 
was succeeded by Edward P. Buffinton, who continued in office until 1857. 
Nathaniel B. Borden, in 1857 ; Josiah C. Blaisdell, from 1858 to 1860; and 
Edward P. Buffinton, from 1860 to the present time. 



ALDERMEN. 

1854 — James Henry, Edward P. Buffinton, Oliver Hathaway, Alvan S. Bal- 
lard, Edwin Shaw, Julius B. Champney. 

1855 — James Henry, Edward P. Buffinton, resigned Nov. 12, William M. 
Cook, elected Nov. 24, Oliver H. Hathaway, Isaac L. Hart, Edwin 
Shaw, Major Borden. 

1856 — James Henry, William M. Cook, James M. Osborn, John P. Slade, 
James Ford, David A. Bray ton, resigned Oct. 13, Smith Winslow, 
elected Nov. 4. 

1857— James Henry, South'd H. Miller, resigned Jan. 18, Joshua Reming- 
ton, elected Jan. 27, John P. Slade, William Mason, 2d, William 
Carr. 

1858 — WiUiam Hill, Joshua Remington, James M. Osborn, Walter C. Dur- 
fee, Charles O. Shove, EUis Gifford. 

1859— James Henry, Nathaniel B. Borden, Ebenezer Luther, Walter C. 
Durfee, Charles O. Shove, Benjamin Earl. 

I860 — James Henry, Nathaniel B. Borden, Asa Pettey, Jr., John P. Slade, 
Charles O. Shove, WiUiam B. Durfee. 

1861— Geo. H. Eddy, Nathaniel B. Borden Asa Pettey, Jr., John Mason 
Jr., James Ford, Job B. Ashly. 

1862— Joseph Borden, Nathaniel B. Borden, Asa Pettey, Jr., John Mason, 
Jr., James Ford, Job B. Ashley. 



HISTORY OF FALL KIVER. 99 

GENERAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

1855 — Eli Thurston, Azariah S. Tripp, Jerome Dwelly, Benjamin H. Davis, 

James M. Aldrich, Joseph E. Dawley, S. Angier Chace. 
1856 — James Ford, Azariah S. Tripp, James M. Aldrich, Jerome Dwelly, 

Joseph E. Dawley, Ebenezer T. Larned, S. Angier Chace. 
1857 — S. Angier Chace, Azariah S. Tripp, James M. Aldrich, Almadus W. 

Tripp, Emery M. Porter, James W. Hartley, Robert E. Barnett. 
1858 — Azariah S. Tripp, William Maclaren, James M. Aldrich, Robert E. 

Barnett, James W. Hartley, Almadus W. Tripp, Emery M. Porter. 
1859 — William Maclaren, Eli Thurston, Azariah S. Tripp, Emery M. Porter, 

Almadus W. Tripp, Warren Hathaway, S. Angier Chace. 
1860 — Wilham Maclaren, Azariah S. Tripp, Seth Pooler, Joseph E. Dawley, 

Jerome Dwelly, J. Lewis Diman, James M. Aldrich. 
1861 — William Maclaren, Azariah S. Tripp, Joseph E. Dawley, Foster 

Hooper, Charles A. Snow, Simeon Borden. 
1862— William Maclaren, Azariah S. Tripp, Joseph E. Dawley, Foster 

Hooper, Charles A. Snow, Simeon Borden. 



MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 

FROM FALL RIVER. 



Nathaniel B. Borden, Orin Fowler, and James BuflBnton, have been Rep- 
resentatives to the Congress of the United States, subsequent to 1840. 



NAMES OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES 

TO THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE. • 



SENATORS. 



Foster Hooper, 1840-42 : P. W. Leland, 1843 ; N. B. Borden, 1845-47 ; 
Orin Fowler, 1848 ; Richard Borden, 1854: Joseph E. Dawley, 1855-56; 
Jeremiah S. Young, 1857 ; Robert T. Davis, 1859-61. 



100 HISTORV OK FALL UIVEK. 



REPRESENTATIVES . 

1842 — Jonathan Slade, King Dean, William H. Ashley. 

1843— Jonathan Slade, Wm. A. "Waite, Wm. V. Read. . 

1844 — Simeon Borden, Sen., Thomas D. Chaloner, Nathan Durfee. 

1845 — Simeon Borden, James B. Luther, Benjamin F. White. 

1846— Chas. J. Holmes, Benj. W. Miller, Albert G. Eaton. 

1847— David Perkins, Benj. Earl, Benj. W. Miller. 

1848— David Perkins, Hezekiah Battelle, Wm. R. Robeson. 

1849 — Simeon Borden, Benj. Wardwell, James Ford, 2d. 

1850 — Iram Smith, Azariah Shove. 

1851— Nath'l B. Borden, Richard Borden, J. B. Luther, Richard C. French. 

1852— Nathan D. Dean, Iram Smith, E. P. Buffinton, Southard H. Miller. 

1853— None. 

1854 — Mark A. Slocum, Job G. Lawton. 

1855 — Daniel Leonard, Asa P. French, Jona. E. Morrill, Benj. H. Davis. 

1856 — Brayton Slade, Jona. E. Morrill, John S. Brayton, Job B. Ashley. 

1857 — Jona. E. Morrill, Vernon Cook, Brownell W. Woodman, John E. 

Grouard. 
1858 — Josiah C. Blaisdell, Jonathan E. Morrill. 
1859— Stephen C. Wrightington, Thomas T. Potter. 
1860— Lloyd S. Earl, Stephen C. Wrightington. 
1861— Lloyd S. Earl, Stephen C. Wrightington. 
.1862 — Simeon Borden, Henry Pratt. 




